Private mobile operators like Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices can restart providing video calls as part of their 3G services in the New Year. This comes after the security imbroglio between the operators and the security agencies was resolved a couple of days back with the former giving an undertaking that within the next six months, they would start providing real-time interception of video calls. Currently, such calls can be monitored with a time lag of five to eight minutes, prompting security agencies to ask the operators to stop providing video calls.
A tripartite agreement is being drafted between the security agencies, telecom industry associations and the DoT that real-time monitoring of such calls will be available in the next six months failing which such calls will be barred.
Operators will be intimated about the development within a day or two after which they can restart services like video calling, official sources said.
Video calls are interactive calls where the callers can view each another on mobile phones or computer displays.
The companies received a breather after they apprised the DoT and Intelligence Bureau that real-time interception of video calls is not possible at present because the required equipment are not available. ?We said that we are in talks with equipment providers to make such customised equipment for us and in the next six months, the same will be available,? an official from a 3G services provider told FE.
While the immediate beneficiaries will be Reliance Communications (RCom) and TTSL who have already launched 3G services, others like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone-Essar and Idea Cellular, all of whom plan to roll out such services shortly, will also gain.
In fact, when the government shot off a notice to RCom and TTSL to stop video calling services, it also sent a notice to Bharti Airtel not to launch such services. Sources said another reason for the government to take a lenient view of the matter was that since operators have bid huge amounts for 3G spectrum, the government should act as a facilitator rather than block services which may earn them revenue. Put together, mobile operators paid Rs 67,000 crore for 3G spectrum. RCom paid Rs 8,600 crore while TTSL paid Rs 5,864 crore. Telecom minister Kapil Sibal had recently said that his ministry would resolve security-related issues soon.