Dialog launches South Asia's first 3G service

Dialog Telekom launched commercial 3G services in the city of Colombo on August 16. In doing so the company put Sri Lanka on the map as the first country in South Asia to launch a third generation network.

Chief Executive Dialog Telekom Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya received the 3G licence from Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) Chairman and Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunge and Director General Kanchana Ratwatte signalling the formal go ahead from the government of Sri Lanka for the introduction of commercial 3G services in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Wijayasuriya emphasised the company's appreciation of the progressive and pro-evolution policies of the TRCSL "Sri Lanka becomes the first 3G enabled country in South Asia due in no small measures, to the progressive policies of the TRCSL. The TRCSL has lead the region in terms of technology evolution for many years. Sri Lanka was also the first country to introduce GSM in South Asia in 1995.

With respect to 3G, Dialog has the good fortune of being permitted to carry out a 3G trial as far back as two years ago well ahead of regional counterparts. Today, with the introduction of commercial services in the city of Colombo, we begin an all new journey in to third generation services and high speed mobile broadband."

Commenting on the introduction of 3G services in Sri Lanka, Director General of Telecommunications Kanchana Ratwatte said, "It is with great personal pride and satisfaction that I identify myself with the next phase of evolution in the mobile industry.

As the pioneer in the mobile GSM market I wish to congratulate Dialog GSM for being so swift off the block to provide the latest in 3G technology to the Sri Lankan market."

Dialog's 3G network will initially provide coverage in the city of Colombo but is set to expand rapidly over the months to follow. "Dialog is committed to make 3G and the multi media services it delivers, meaningful, available and affordable to all Sri Lankans in the same manner we transformed digital mobile telephony in Sri Lanka over the last decade," Dr. Wijayasuriya said.

From August 16 Dialog customers who possess 3G compatible mobile phones can avail themselves of Dialog 3G services including video calls, IDD video calls, TV on the phone, high speed internet connections for web browsing, video streaming, music and movie downloads and online games.