Tata DoCoMo, 26% of which is owned by Japanese telecom operator NTT DoCoMo, announced on November 3 that the company launched its 3G mobile services in nine out of 22 Indian telecom circles, making Tata DoCoMo the first telecom operator to launch such services in India, India's Economic Times reported on November 3. Two state-owned telecom operators BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) and MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited) already launched 3G services over a year ago.

 

In addition, following Vodafone Essar's announcement that the company plans to spend up to US$500 million for its 3G rollout in India over the next two years, Tata DoCoMo is also set to earmark an additional of approximately US$500 million for the rollout of 3G data services by the end of 2010, Reuters reported on November 3. Tata DoCoMo, which paid 58.64 billion Rupees (US$1.3 billion; US$1 = 44.3 Rupees) for rights to offer 3G services in India, is said to complete the 3G rollouts by year-end 2010, according to the same source. Aside from Tata DoCoMo, another Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel is projected to launch 3G services before the end of 2010 as well while Vodafone Essar is expected to deliver similar services in the first quarter of 2011, according again to the Economic Times.