Even as delays plague auction of spectrum for the third generation telephony, telecom regulator TRAI on Saturday started consultation for the next level of telecom services.

The fourth generation or 4G technology offers download at faster speed known as ultra-broadband and high definition video on demand among other such services.

"Yes. We are starting the process and would come out with a consultation paper to look into various issues relating to 4G telecom services," TRAI Chairman J S Sarma said.

He, however, said categorically that this is not suggested as a 'skip 3G process', as the government has taken definitive steps and may auction the spectrum soon.

"3G has been delayed badly ... I don't want 4G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) to meet the same fate. Other countries are catching up with the 4G and that is why we are taking advance action," he said.

4G or LTE is a successor to 3G and 2G standards, with the aim to provide a wide range of data rates up to ultra- broadband (gigabit-speed) Internet access to mobile as well as stationary users.