Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Friday  launched its much-awaited third generation (3G) mobile services in 12 cities. The service is initially available  in Agra, Ambala, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Dehradoon, Shimla, Lucknow, Ranchi, Durgapur, Haldia and Patna and in Jammu as a soft-launch, a company statement said.

The telecom giant also announced the 3G tariffs for both pre-paid and post-paid services. They also launched IPTV service along with launch of 3G in various cities, though in some cities it was already launched.

The 3G services will bring high quality voice services along with high-speed data and video services. The data speed is expected to go up to 2 Mbps or higher.

The PSU was awarded one block of 2*5 MHz 3G spectrum in all telecom circles in the country, six months before, without participating in the auction, at a price equal to the winning bids in the respective circles, in the auctions to be held before March 31st.