Techno-economic considerations for introduction of PCS in India

Phenomenal progress in wireless technology and mobile radio networks in recent years has led to evolution of personal communication services (PCS) offering communication access to any one, any where, in any form. These developments provide India an opportunity to leapfrog from present state of far-from-satisfactory telecommunications to provision of a universal communication service. Major factors favouring introduction of PCS in India include : (i) enormous demand as yet unsatisfied for communications in rural, mobile and new industrial areas. (ii) adaptability for establishment of communication facilities in a quick timeframe (iii) flexibility to meet changing traffic pattern and provide modular growth. However, in India economic viability is an essential prerequisite for successful implementation of a PCS system. The telecommunication requirements in India are presented, and the techno-economic factors to be taken into consideration for the introduction of PCS are discussed.