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Page 1 of 6 Telecom Spectrum Allocation in India
5/5/2014 http://www.indiatelecomonline.com/telecom-spectrum-allocation-in-india/
Telecom Spectrum Allocation in India
October 27th, 2010 | Author: admin
What is Spectrum
The word spectrum refers to a collection of various types of electromagnetic radiations of different
wavelengths. Spectrum or airwaves are the radio frequencies on which all communication singnals
travel. In India the radio frequencies are being used for different types of services like space
communication, mobile communication, broadcasting, radio navigation, mobile satellite service,
aeronautical satellite services, defence communication etc. Radio frequency is a natural resource but
unlike other resources it will deplete when used. But it will be wasted if not used efficiently. The
spectrum allocated to Indian telecom operator is most crowded and inadequate to accommodate the
usage by 650 million mobile subscribers as on date. This has affected the quality of customer service
and resulted in poor voice quality, call drop and undelivered messages of mobile services in India.
1. Agencies allocating spectrum
Spectrum allocation is important and necessary to ensure interference free operation for each
radio service. All nations share the electromagnetic spectrum and reserve their right to its
unlimited use. However, to facilitate international telecommunications cooperation to support
trade, transportation, communications, and mutual protection against interference, all countries
have agreed to an International Telecommunications Convention. The International
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Telecommunication Union (ITU) at the World Radio Communication Conferences allocates
spectrum frequencies for the use of various countries. Since the mobile communication
technologies provide international roaming facilities, it is essential to allocate spectrum in the
common bands which are being used the world over. Secondly the mobile handsets which are
manufactured are aligned to the GSM 900/1800 bands. If radio frequencies are allotted in any
other bands then the handsets will not be compatible to those bands.
The Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications,
created in 1952, is the National Radio Regulatory Authority responsible for Frequency
Spectrum Management, including licensing and caters for the needs of all wireless users in the
country. It issues licenses to operate wireless stations. WPC is divided into major sections like
Licensing and Regulation (LR), New Technology Group (NTG) and Standing Advisory
Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA). SACFA makes the recommendations on
major frequency allocation issues, formulation of the frequency allocation plan, making
recommendations on the various issues related to International Telecom Union (ITU), to sort
out problems referred to the committee by various wireless users.
2. Indias National Frequency Allocation plan
The National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) forms the basis for development and
manufacturing of wireless equipment and spectrum utilization in the country. Frequency bands
allocated to various types of radio services in India are as follows.
i) 0-87.5 MHz is used for marine and aeronautical navigation, short and medium wave radio,
amateur (ham) radio and cordless phones.
ii) 87.5-108 MHz is used for FM radio broadcasts
iii) 109- 173 Used for Satellite communication, aeronautical navigation and outdoor broadcast
vans
iv) 174-230 MHz not allocated.
v) 230450 Used for Satellite communication, aeronautical navigation and outdoor broadcast
vans
vi) 450- 585. Not allocated.
vii) 585-698 Used for TV broadcast
viii) 698-806 not allocated.
ix) 806-960 Used by GSM and CDMA mobile services
x) 960-1710 Aeronautical and space communication
xi) 1710- 1930 Used for GSM mobile services
xii) 1930-2010 Used by defence forces
xiii) 2010-2025 Not allocated
xiv) 2025-2110 Satellite and space communications
Page 3 of 6 Telecom Spectrum Allocation in India
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xv) 2110-2170 Not allocated
xvi) 2170-2300 Satellite and space communications
xvii) 2300-2400 not allocated.
xviii) 2400- 2483.5 Used for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth short range services
xix) 2483.5-3300 Space communications
xx) 3300-3600 not allocated.
xxi) 3600-10000 Space research, radio navigation
xxii) 10000 used for satellite downlink for broadcast and DTH services
3. Telecom spectrum policy in India
In India GSM technology works in the frequency bands of 900 and 1800 MHz and CDMA
technology works in the 800 MHz band. Presently, 100 MHz spectrum is ear marked for GSM
services and 20 MHz is earmarked for CDMA. Out of this 65 MHz of GSM band is still with
Defence forces. The minimum amount of spectrum required for launching GSM services is 4.4
MHz.
In 2002, the government introduced a subscriber linked spectrum allocation process, which
provided for a maximum allotment of 12.5 MHz of spectrum per operator in each service area.
The initial allotment of spectrum along with the licence was 4.4 MHz for GSM and 2.5 MHz
for CDMA. This could be further scaled up to 6.2 MHz for GSM and 5 MHz for CDMA
operators depending on availability and the operators ability to justify the need for it. For
additional spectrum they had to meet the subscriber linked criterion laid down by DoT.
However due to the deluge of over 570 UAS licence applications, in Dec 2007, DoT delinked
spectrum from the telecom licence and implemented a policy of first come first served basis
for spectrum allocation. It depended entirely on submission of licence fees to DoTs WPC
wing for a spectrum licence. In 2008 DoT revised the criteria for additional spectrum
allocation. According to this, the subscriber base required for additional spectrum allocation
was hiked two to six times for different circles.
4. Defence Band
In India significant quantum of radio frequencies required for telecommunication is used by
the defence forces. The telecom and defence ministries are in discussion for transferring the
radio frequencies for telecommunication. Last year the telecom ministry signed a MOU with
defence ministry as per which Defence ministry will surrender 45 MHZ of spectrum to
telecom ministry. Out of this, 25 MHZ is identified for 3G services. In order to compensate the
loss of spectrum, the telecom ministry agreed to provide fibre cable network for armed forces
across the country at a cost of Rs 10000 cr (US $ 2.2 billion). The telecom ministry also
agreed for a waiver of Rs 938 cr (US $ 208 million) to the defence ministry and agreed to
allocate 30% of the all frequencies in the non communication bands.
5. 3G and BWA spectrum allocation
Over the years the government has been taking steps to frame policies to ensure efficient
utilization of spectrum, which is a scarce resource. However efforts of DOT and TRAI have
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resulted in controversies. Therefore the Government decided to go ahead with the auctioning
of 3G and BWA spectrum with a open and transparent format which resulted in the
Government earning Rs 67719 cr (US $ 15.05 billion) for 3G spectrum and Rs 38543 cr (US $
8.6 billion) for BWA spectrum. Spectrum required for the launch of 3G and BWA services is
yet to be vacated by the defence department and is expected to be available by September
2010, TRAI has now recommended that the excess 2G spectrum with the operators also need
to be valued at the 3G prices and recovered from the existing operators, which is strongly
opposed by the GSM operators.
6. Conclusion
The operators need additional spectrum to improve the quality of services. The Government
should formulate a spectrum policy which will promote efficient use of spectrum by
developing market incentives and differential pricing of spectrum in congested areas. An open
and transparent auction format will ensure that the government realizes the best price for
spectrum as per the market forces and at the same time the telecom operators minimize and
efficiently use the spectrum.
Posted in Industry Overview | Tags: Indian Telecom, indian telecom policies, indian telecom
regulatory, spectrum allocation
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