New Delhi: Time is appropriate to "reactivate" the GoM on spectrum vacation that could free over 122 Mhz of radiowaves as DoT has almost completed alternate communication network for defence forces, Sam Pitroda, Adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has said.
"With the anticipated completion of the terrestrial network for defence services undertaken by DoT...there are fresh possibilities for vacation of more spectrum by the defence services. In addition, digitisation of Prasar Bharti has the potential of freeing valuable spectrum for telecom services," Pitroda said in a letter.
"Therefore, time is opportune to reactivate the GoM (Group of Ministers) to focus on certain spectrum availability and utilisation issues of considerable relevance to continued growth of telecom and broadcasting sectors," he added.
Pitroda is of the view that 80 megahertz of airwaves frequencies for 4G services can be freed from the spectrum held by Department of Space (DoS). "DoS has earlier released 40 Mhz for mobile services. Out of the balance 150 Mhz, as per radio regulations, DoS has no proposal to utilise 80 Mhz. The frequency has been earmarked internationally for 4G/BWA (Wireless Broadband) services," he said.
Government formed Empowered Group of Ministers, headed by Finance Minister, on spectrum vacation for freeing up the airwaves for telecom services. The EGoM was then given the task to deal with spectrum vacation following Supreme Court judgement in which 122 telecom licences were cancelled.
The last meeting of the EGoM to specifically discuss spectrum vacation was held on March 5. In rest of the meeting the EGoM has been looking in to processes of spectrum auction. Pitroda said 10 Mhz of 2G spectrum for GSM telecom services can be freed, 7.5 Mhz for CDMA based telecom services, 25 MHz for 3G services from defence services.
He added that some additional spectrum from broadcasting services can be freed for 4G telecom services once digitisation of Prasar Bharti is completed. In the last EGoM on spectrum vacation, Information and Broadcasting Ministry agreed to give up its claim on airwaves frequencies in 700 Mhz band which is considered as premium band for offering 4G services.
Telecom regulator TRAI has recommended four times high price base price, amounting to around Rs 73,000 crore for a chunk of spectrum in this frequency. Government has to take final decision on recommendation given by TRAI.
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