BSNL, MTNL to roll out 3G services by December

New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) State-run telecom operators Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) will roll out third generation (3G) mobile services in the national capital by December, Telecommunications Minister A. Raja said here Monday.

'Both BSNL and MTNL have been allotted initial start-up spectrum and will roll out services by December this year,' Raja told reporters on the sidelines of a telecom conference.

In his address at the 10th South Asian Telecommunications Regulators' Council (SATRC) meeting, Raja said BSNL will roll out the 3G services in Chennai and the northeast in January.

Asked about the BSNL initial public offering (IPO), he said: 'We are still discussing the matter with the trade unions and as soon as we reach a consensus, we will go ahead with it.'

BSNL had earlier in the year proposed dilution of 10 percent stake, which was vehemently opposed by the trade unions.

Raja has since been in talks with the unions, offering them employee stock options and other incentives.