While the Indian government has managed to rake in 350 billion Rupees ($8 Billion) from the 3G sell-off, the Communications Minister, A. Raja is keen to start early preparations for 4G spectrum. The auction for the 4G spectrum will start immediately after the operators spread out their 3G networks this year.

Mr. A. Raja said,

I do not want any delay in 4G services. We should be with the rest of the world in 4G. The sale process for 4G, which will provide high-speed Internet connections, will begin as soon as operators roll out their 3G networks this year. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has already started the pre-consultation process for the sale of 4G spectrum. Once TRAI submits its recommendations, the government will work on it.

Needless to say, 4G will be a grand superset of 3G, up to 10 times faster. 4G is expected to bring in broadband experience to mobile phones enabling smooth streaming of high quality audio and video on mobile devices. Just for your information, Germany has already started Europe’s first 4G auction on 12th April.

India is the world’s fastest growing mobile market and 3G has already turned out to be a massive hit. With 22 rounds of auctions and bids touching 45.8 Billion Rupees (a whopping 31% more than the reserve price fixed by the government), it shouldn’t come as a surprise if government unleashes 4G frequencies next year. India is surely at the threshold of an Internet revolution.