History at a Glance
1902- First wireless telegraph installed
1921- The first testing of wireless communication in India, in Mumbai. First HAMs were licensed in India.
1921 to 1927- Experimental Radio stations were tested.
1927- First Radio station starts in Mumbai, The Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC).
1933- Radio telephone between India and the UK.
1930- Indian State Broadcasting Service took over IBC.
1938- The Indian Telegraphy Act of 1885 was amended to include wireless telegraphy.
1959- Doordarshan Television established in Delhi.
1965- Doordarshan became part of All India Radio.
1972- Doordarshan extended to Mumbai and Amritsar.
1976- First digital microwave link.
1980- First satellite earth station established at Secunderabad.
1982- Colour television was introduced.
1985- First non-commercial mobile telephone service.
1992- India adopts GSM as standard for mobile communication.
1995- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was setup and the Govt. issues two licenses for each circle.
2001- First private FM station started.
2007- First DTH services initiated.
2010- 3G spectrum auctions conducted
Wireless Communication in India
India has had a long history of wireless communication. Most new technologies that
were made commercial were implemented in India within a brief time span of its
release for commerce worldwide. The first wireless telegraph was installed between
Sagar Islands and Sandheads by the British in 1902 in India. The first radio broadcast in
India was made by Giandchand Motwane in 1920. In 1921, The first HAM license was
issued to an Indian citizen, Amarendra Chandra Gooptu. During this interval till 1930,
the first radio transmitters were tested by the Marconi Company among other
competitors such as Pastor Robert Hare.
The first radio station was established by the India Broadcasting Company (IBC) in 1927.
The transmitter worked on 750 kHz and at 1.5 kilo-watt. In 1933, the British had
installed a direct radio telephone link between India and the UK. In 1930, the Indian
State Broadcasting Service took over IBC. In 1936, its name changed to the All India
Radio and was run under the India Government. The Indian Telegraphy Act of 1885 was
amended to include wireless telegraphy.
After Independence, the first major progress in wireless communication for India was
the initiation of Doordarshan, then a black and white television broadcaster under the
Indian Government. In 1965, The All India Radio and Doordarshan were combined to
provide radio services. In 1972, Doordarshan expanded to other cities of India. 1976 was
the establishment of the first microwave link in India. Satellite communication systems
were introduced in 1980. Doordarshan provided colour content for television from
1982. The first non-commercial mobile service was established in Delhi. After the
release of the GSM standard, it was officially adopted by India in 1992. Private operators
were welcome to participate.
In 1995, India was divided into 23 circles and two channels were licenses were allocated
for each circle. The TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) was established to
regulate the telecommunication services and ensure fair play among operators. This
ensured separation of the telecommunication authorities from the judiciary. The first
private FM station was Radio City started in Bangalore in 2001. The first Direct to Home
services were offered by DishTv in 2007. In 2010, 3G spectrum was auctioned to service
providers. India has a long history ahead in wireless mobile communication. Currently it
supports the second largest telecommunication industry in the world, after China, and is
estimated to take the lead. In the future, 4G services among others will be
implemented, which will be history in the making.
