NEW DELHI, INDIA: Wimax Forum today claimed that most of the telecom companies who have won the BWA auction are expected to launch Wimax services by this year, subject to availability of spectrum.

“We saw some press announcement by operators for deploying competitive technology. The lobby from other side seems to be making noise. If they will not make noise then they are afraid of losing opportunity,” said CS Rao, honorary chairman, India chapter, Wimax Forum at a press meet here today.

“We touch based with them and found out that they are only evaluating technologies and are aware that the competitive technology to wimax is not going to be available before 2012,” he added.

Rao was referring to Mukesh Ambani's comment in the company's annual general meeting that he was evaluating LTE technology for roll out of wireless broadband services. Reliance Industries-backed Infotel is the a surprise winner of pan-India license for BWA spectrum, in which Reliance Industries has 95 per cent stake.

“The operators very well know the technology available today. They are eagerly looking for deploying broadband services to recover the cost that they have paid during the auction,” Rao said.

He added that BSNL has already started Wimax services and other operators are running trial on Wimax technology. “Leave alone one company, all the operators are running trial and some are on the verge of closing trials,” claimed Rao.

Santhanam Gopalakrishnan, country head, Alvarion mentioned that the company is in the final stage of business deal with some of the major operators who have expressed willingness to launch Wimax service in the last quarter of this year.

“You can expect some Diwali Dhamaka. We are talking with some operators for deploying Wimax service,” said Gopalakrishnan.

Bharat Bhatia, chairman, RWG, WiMAX Forum India Chapter, and director, Motorola India, in a separate interaction with CIOL, mentioned that except one company, all the BWA winners are looking forward to deploy Wimax services as it has well-developed ecosystem to support the services.

“Devices are already in place and at affordable price point. By February 2011, 802.16m version will be approved by ITU, which delivers double efficiency and speed as it is being delivered today. The cost of spectrum that the companies have paid is huge and they are looking for early roll out of services to get return on their investment,” said Bhatia.

Bhatia added that as per his observation all the BWA winners will soon roll out Wimax service.

“Augere (Mauritius) is already a Wimax player. Rest of the players are gearing up for roll out,” said Bhatia.

For availability of access devices, Rao mentioned that multiple devices are available in various form factors from the price point of Rs. 1700 onward.

“Devices in smartphone form factor are available for the price point of around Rs. 5000, data cards and USB devices in the range of Rs..1700 to Rs.. 2500 and customer premise equipment at Rs. price point of Rs. 2500 approximately available in Indian market,” said Rao.

CIOL reached out to some of the BWA winners to check their plans but all of them declined to comment at this stage.

“We have not yet received BWA spectrum. Any decision on roll-out will be taken after spectrum we get the spectrum,” said Aircel spokesperson.