Telecom Commission proposes doubling of spectrum allocation

The Telecom Commission is of the opinion that at least 10 mega hertz (MHz) of airwaves be auctioned in each telecom zone, double of what has been proposed by the sector regulator, in the proposed second generation (2G) spectrum auction, with the auction open to both new players and
old players.

The commission, the highest decision-making body of the telecom ministry, will meet again on 26 May to take a call on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendations on spectrum pricing and allocation.

"As far pricing is concerned, the issue has not been completed in terms of discussion. The commission will meet again Saturday and will take up issues on pricing and other issues which could not be covered," said department of telecommunications (DoT) secretary R Chandrasekhar, who chairs the commission.

"No modalities of refarming of the timing have been taken at this point, only a provisioning has been made," he added.

The commission, however, was of the opinon that incumbent operators would be entitled to bid for maximum of two blocks of 1.25 MHz which means a maximum of 2.5 MHz, while new players can go for four blocks of 1.25 MHz.

The commission has also agreed with the recommendation of liberalising spectrum. "All spectrum in the future will be liberalised spectrum, meaning anybody who gets the spectrum though the auction would be free to use any technology in that spectrum,'' Chandrasekhar added.