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  • TRAI says it favours auctioning of entire spectrum in any LSA

    TRAI says it favours auctioning of entire spectrum in any LSA

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has told the Department of Telecommunications that holding back some of the spectrum in 700 MHz (i.e. 15+15 MHz) from this auction and selling it after a gap of certain period of time from now would lead to non-utilization of this scarce natural resource for that period, though it has the potential to be reused and reallocated.

    Responding to a lengthy note by the DoT on various issues relating to auction of spectrum, the TRAI has by and large stuck to its original recommendations on most questions raised before it.

    It said any delay in award of spectrum or non-utilization of spectrum would turn into irreversible loss to the Government (in the form of levies and taxes) and to the society (in the form of better services, contribution to other related activities etc.).

    Even if it is assumed that greater revenue can be generated by auctioning a part of spectrum in 700 MHz band in future, deferring the revenue receipts now may not be of economic prudence keeping in view the impact of telecom services on the other sectors and overall GDP growth. Telecom connectivity is now the basic infrastructure in any society for networking, conveying important economic and social benefits.

    The Authority emphasised that the broadband connectivity is the first pillar of ‘Digital India’ Programme of the government, which can be fulfilled quickly if sufficient quantity of spectrum is made available. Further, National Telecom Policy-2012 envisages making available additional 300 MHz spectrum by the year 2017 and 500 MHz by the year 2020 for IMT services. If all the available spectrum is put to auction, it will result in increased availability of spectrum which will result in serving larger subscriber base, increased data speed as well as growth and overall increase in economic and other networked activities. This will result in more recurring revenue to the government in terms of license fee, spectrum usage charges, service tax, etc.

    Spectrum being a scarce resource, auction of spectrum is primarily to solve the allocative problem in an open, transparent manner and revenue maximization cannot be (and should not be) the only objective of auction where the Government is an auctioneer. The government has to a strike a balance between its fiscal targets and its responsibility to promote and encourage growth of the telecom sector.

    Presently, India is way behind in the broadband penetration and the internet speeds in the world and 700 MHz band can prove to be a vital band for proliferation of broadband in the country. In view of the above, the authority is of the opinion that entire spectrum in the 700 MHz band is required to be made available for commercial use without any delay. Accordingly, the authority reiterates its earlier recommendation that entire available spectrum (2x35MHz) in the 700 MHz band should be put to auction in the upcoming auction.

    The authority has been in favour of auctioning of all the available spectrum in entire LSA(s). However, the authority had recommended that partial spectrum available in Bihar, Rajasthan and North-East LSAs should not be put to auction till such time it becomes available in at least 75% of total number of districts of the LSA including the state capital(s). As 1.0 MHz of spectrum in 1800 MHz band is available in entire service area of Rajasthan it should be put to auction. Moreover, DoT is carrying out process of harmonisation of spectrum in this band, therefore, issue of partial spectrum may not arise.

    It said telecom service providers feel that the escalation in the number of mobile drops, especially in urban and metro areas, can also be attributed to spectrum related issues, including shortage of spectrum supply. In order to serve the telecom needs of ever increasing subscriber base, the authority has recommended to DoT, from time to time, for making additional spectrum available in existing as well as new bands for commercial use. Further, in all the spectrum auctions held since 2012, the authority has been recommending to put to auction the entire available spectrum with the DoT. I

    As stated in the recommendations dated 27 January 2016, 700 MHz band is a sought after band for LTE deployment around the world due to its efficiency and higher penetration inside buildings. Due to lower frequency, it provides wider coverage which reduces number of towers required for setting up the LTE network and thus significantly cuts down capital expenditure involved in making the network live. In 42 countries commercial networks have been deployed in this band. After the assignment of spectrum in this band in India, it is expected that there will be an accelerated deployment of device eco-system due to ‘economies of scale’ that will be delivered on account of large subscriber base.

    The authority is of the view that if a service provider is not utilizing the administratively assigned spectrum without any justification, the licensor should take back the assigned spectrum.

    The DoT may take the legal opinion on the above issue and start the process of withdrawal of the spectrum separately. As soon as this spectrum becomes available, the same should be put to auction.

    The authority is of the opinion that there is no need for any modification in the provisions of the latest NIA with respect to block size and minimum quantum of spectrum that a new entrant/existing licenses/expiry licensee is required to bid for in 900/1800 MHz band. However, due to limited availability of spectrum in some LSAs in 900/1800 bands minimum spectrum, that a bidder is required to bid for, has been amended in these LSAs.

  • Do not cut spectrum already allocated to TSPs if more needed for Defence or non-commercial purposes: TRAI

    Do not cut spectrum already allocated to TSPs if more needed for Defence or non-commercial purposes: TRAI

    NEW DELHI: Noting that only 1800 MHz spectrum is likely to be affected for diversion for Defence or non-commercial use, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has said no TSP should be asked to surrender any spectrum, which it already holds if a level playing field amongst TSPs has to be ensured.

    In a clarification to the Department of Telecom, TRAI reiterated that the same spectrum cap may be made applicable for all the TSPs in a particular local service area (LSA).

    Responding to a letter from the DoT, the Authority said, “Even in case of 1800 MHz also, after the harmonisation exercise with the Defence, additional spectrum will be made available for commercial usages, as Defence has been occupying more than 20 MHz of bandwidth agreed as per Memorandum of Understanding between DoT and the Ministry of Defence. Therefore, the situation, as raised by DoT, is unlikely to arise.”

    This was particularly so in view of the fact that Defence band had already been notified and it was unlikely that any spectrum that was hitherto assigned for commercial use will be assigned for non-commercial use. In the case of 1800 MHz band, frequency harmonisation is required to be taken place amongst TSPs and Defence, implying that Defence and commercial chunk of spectrum are placed in their respective allotted slots.

    In its Recommendations “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands” dated 27 January, 2016, the Authority has recommended that DoT should ensure that this exercise gets completed before the next auction. It is also mentioned that after completion of this exercise it is expected that additional spectrum of about 200 MHz will be made available for assignment for commercial use.

    There is no other spectrum band where any rearrangement of spectrum with Defence is immediately foreseen.

    In its letter, DoT had sought views of TRAI on modalities to operate two different spectrum caps – one declared at the time of auction and other published as soon as some spectrum is assigned for non-commercial use; and whether existing spectrum holding of operators should be protected as an exception consequent to reduction in band as well as overall cap due to assignment of spectrum for non-commercial use after the auction.

  • Do not cut spectrum already allocated to TSPs if more needed for Defence or non-commercial purposes: TRAI

    Do not cut spectrum already allocated to TSPs if more needed for Defence or non-commercial purposes: TRAI

    NEW DELHI: Noting that only 1800 MHz spectrum is likely to be affected for diversion for Defence or non-commercial use, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has said no TSP should be asked to surrender any spectrum, which it already holds if a level playing field amongst TSPs has to be ensured.

    In a clarification to the Department of Telecom, TRAI reiterated that the same spectrum cap may be made applicable for all the TSPs in a particular local service area (LSA).

    Responding to a letter from the DoT, the Authority said, “Even in case of 1800 MHz also, after the harmonisation exercise with the Defence, additional spectrum will be made available for commercial usages, as Defence has been occupying more than 20 MHz of bandwidth agreed as per Memorandum of Understanding between DoT and the Ministry of Defence. Therefore, the situation, as raised by DoT, is unlikely to arise.”

    This was particularly so in view of the fact that Defence band had already been notified and it was unlikely that any spectrum that was hitherto assigned for commercial use will be assigned for non-commercial use. In the case of 1800 MHz band, frequency harmonisation is required to be taken place amongst TSPs and Defence, implying that Defence and commercial chunk of spectrum are placed in their respective allotted slots.

    In its Recommendations “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands” dated 27 January, 2016, the Authority has recommended that DoT should ensure that this exercise gets completed before the next auction. It is also mentioned that after completion of this exercise it is expected that additional spectrum of about 200 MHz will be made available for assignment for commercial use.

    There is no other spectrum band where any rearrangement of spectrum with Defence is immediately foreseen.

    In its letter, DoT had sought views of TRAI on modalities to operate two different spectrum caps – one declared at the time of auction and other published as soon as some spectrum is assigned for non-commercial use; and whether existing spectrum holding of operators should be protected as an exception consequent to reduction in band as well as overall cap due to assignment of spectrum for non-commercial use after the auction.

  • TRAI recommends high reserve prices for spectrum auction; TSPs unhappy

    TRAI recommends high reserve prices for spectrum auction; TSPs unhappy

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today recommended rates for auction of spectrum in the 700 Mhz, 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, 2100 Mhz, 2300 Mhz and 2500 Mhz bands.

     

    Earlier, TRAI chairman R S Sharma had said that the auction may be conducted in May or June this year.

     

    The base spectrum price per MHz for Delhi metro will be Rs 1,595 crore for 700 MHz, Rs 848 crore for 800 MHz, Rs 399 crore for 1800 MHz, Rs 554 crore for 2100 MHz, Rs 143 crore for 2300 MHz and Rs 143 crore for 2500 MHz band.

     

    TRAI said the base spectrum price per MHz for Karnataka (including Bangalore) will be Rs 740 crore for 700 MHz, Rs 303 crore for 800 MHz, Rs 558 crore for 900 MHz, Rs 185 crore for 1800 MHz, Rs 328 crore for 2100 MHz, Rs 98 crore for 2300 MHz and Rs 98 crore for 2500 MHz band.

     

    One TSP, who did not want to be named, told Indiantelevision.com that the prices were prohibitive and the government may be asked to reconsider the recommendations.

     

    The Authority reiterated its earlier recommendation that APT700 band plan should be adopted for the 700 MHz (698-806 MHz) spectrum band with FDD based 2×45 MHz frequency arrangement.

     

    TRAI has also recommended that entire available spectrum (2x35MHz) in the 700 MHz band should be put to auction in the upcoming auction.

     

    The Authority said test schedule for the roll-out obligations testing for 700 MHz should be released within a period of one year from the date of completion of auction in this band.

     

    The same roll-out obligations, which were imposed on the successful bidder of spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 and 2100 MHz band in the auctions held in 2015, should be prescribed for these spectrum bands in the upcoming auctions for new entrants. The Authority also said no fresh roll-out obligation should be imposed on existing service providers who are already operating their services in 800, 900, 1800 or 2100 MHz band, in case they acquire additional block of spectrum in the same band.

     

    The Authority recommended that the same eligibility criteria that have been made applicable for other bands viz. 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz band in January 2015 NIA should be made applicable for 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands. The same eligibility criteria should also be made applicable for 700 MHz band also.

     

    Partial spectrum available in Bihar, Rajasthan and North-East LSAs should not be put to auction till such time it becomes available at least in 75 per cent of total number of districts of the LSA including the State capital(s).

     

    The Authority recommended that DoT, in coordination with Defence and the TSPs, should complete the harmonisation process in the 1800 MHz band before upcoming auctions so that the entire spectrum that is made available due to this exercise is placed for bidding. The available spectrum must be put to auction in contiguous blocks, preferably in the block of 5 MHz.

     

    It recommended that the 1800 MHz band administratively assigned spectrum to Aircel in Haryana and MP, and Tata in HP should be taken back. The Authority also recommended that the 800 MHz band be administratively assigned spectrum to Tata in WB and Quadrant in Punjab should be taken back. This spectrum should also be put to upcoming auction.

     

    The Authority recommended that DoT, in coordination with Defence and the TSPs, should complete the harmonisation process in the 1800 MHz band before upcoming auctions so that the entire spectrum that is made available due to this exercise is placed for bidding. The available spectrum must be put to auction in contiguous blocks, preferably in the block of 5 MHz.

     

    The Authority recommended that DoT should ensure that the spectrum surrendered by TTSL is not kept idle and takes appropriate legal remedies to put it in the upcoming auction.  

     

    Additionally, the entire available spectrum in 2100 MHz band, including spectrum taken back from STEL, should be put to auction.

     

    Spectrum in 700 MHz band should be offered in the block size of 5 MHz (paired). In case a TSP is able to win more than one block of spectrum in the upcoming auctions, it should be allocated spectrum in contiguous blocks.

     

    In case a TSP is able to win more than one block of spectrum in 2100 MHz band, it should be allocated spectrum in contiguous blocks. Similarly, if the TSP already having spectrum in the 2100 MHz band, acquires additional carrier, it should be ensured that all its carriers are contiguous.  

     

    Spectrum in the 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands should be put to auction in the block size of 10 MHz (unpaired). Currently, spectrum trading in 2300/2500 MHz band is permitted in the block size of 20 MHz. The Authority also recommended that after network synchronisation of all the TDD networks, spectrum trading in 2300/2500 MHz band should be permitted in the blocks of 10 MHz.

     

    Existing provision of a cap of 25 per cent of the ‘total spectrum assigned’ in 700/800/900/1800/ 2100/2300/2500 MHz bands and 50 per cent within a given band in each of the access service area shall apply for total spectrum holding by each TSP.

     

    The roll-out obligations to be imposed for licensees who acquire access spectrum in 700 MHz band should be: all towns/villages having population of 15,000 or more but less than 50,000 to be covered within five years of effective date of allocation of spectrum for access services and all villages having population of 10,000 or more but less than 15,000 to be covered within seven years of effective date of allocation of spectrum; to prevent, duplication of infrastructure, a TSP should also be permitted to fulfil the obligations by sharing network of other operator to the extent permissible as per guidelines/instructions applicable from time to time.

     

    The Authority recommended that the quantum of test fee for the purpose of roll-out testing requirements may be reduced to 20 per cent of the existing rates for testing in the block headquarters (for phase 3, 4 and 5 of the rollout obligations) and similarly for testing of coverage in rural SDCAs.

  • TRAI recommends high reserve prices for spectrum auction; TSPs unhappy

    TRAI recommends high reserve prices for spectrum auction; TSPs unhappy

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today recommended rates for auction of spectrum in the 700 Mhz, 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, 2100 Mhz, 2300 Mhz and 2500 Mhz bands.

     

    Earlier, TRAI chairman R S Sharma had said that the auction may be conducted in May or June this year.

     

    The base spectrum price per MHz for Delhi metro will be Rs 1,595 crore for 700 MHz, Rs 848 crore for 800 MHz, Rs 399 crore for 1800 MHz, Rs 554 crore for 2100 MHz, Rs 143 crore for 2300 MHz and Rs 143 crore for 2500 MHz band.

     

    TRAI said the base spectrum price per MHz for Karnataka (including Bangalore) will be Rs 740 crore for 700 MHz, Rs 303 crore for 800 MHz, Rs 558 crore for 900 MHz, Rs 185 crore for 1800 MHz, Rs 328 crore for 2100 MHz, Rs 98 crore for 2300 MHz and Rs 98 crore for 2500 MHz band.

     

    One TSP, who did not want to be named, told Indiantelevision.com that the prices were prohibitive and the government may be asked to reconsider the recommendations.

     

    The Authority reiterated its earlier recommendation that APT700 band plan should be adopted for the 700 MHz (698-806 MHz) spectrum band with FDD based 2×45 MHz frequency arrangement.

     

    TRAI has also recommended that entire available spectrum (2x35MHz) in the 700 MHz band should be put to auction in the upcoming auction.

     

    The Authority said test schedule for the roll-out obligations testing for 700 MHz should be released within a period of one year from the date of completion of auction in this band.

     

    The same roll-out obligations, which were imposed on the successful bidder of spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 and 2100 MHz band in the auctions held in 2015, should be prescribed for these spectrum bands in the upcoming auctions for new entrants. The Authority also said no fresh roll-out obligation should be imposed on existing service providers who are already operating their services in 800, 900, 1800 or 2100 MHz band, in case they acquire additional block of spectrum in the same band.

     

    The Authority recommended that the same eligibility criteria that have been made applicable for other bands viz. 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz band in January 2015 NIA should be made applicable for 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands. The same eligibility criteria should also be made applicable for 700 MHz band also.

     

    Partial spectrum available in Bihar, Rajasthan and North-East LSAs should not be put to auction till such time it becomes available at least in 75 per cent of total number of districts of the LSA including the State capital(s).

     

    The Authority recommended that DoT, in coordination with Defence and the TSPs, should complete the harmonisation process in the 1800 MHz band before upcoming auctions so that the entire spectrum that is made available due to this exercise is placed for bidding. The available spectrum must be put to auction in contiguous blocks, preferably in the block of 5 MHz.

     

    It recommended that the 1800 MHz band administratively assigned spectrum to Aircel in Haryana and MP, and Tata in HP should be taken back. The Authority also recommended that the 800 MHz band be administratively assigned spectrum to Tata in WB and Quadrant in Punjab should be taken back. This spectrum should also be put to upcoming auction.

     

    The Authority recommended that DoT, in coordination with Defence and the TSPs, should complete the harmonisation process in the 1800 MHz band before upcoming auctions so that the entire spectrum that is made available due to this exercise is placed for bidding. The available spectrum must be put to auction in contiguous blocks, preferably in the block of 5 MHz.

     

    The Authority recommended that DoT should ensure that the spectrum surrendered by TTSL is not kept idle and takes appropriate legal remedies to put it in the upcoming auction.  

     

    Additionally, the entire available spectrum in 2100 MHz band, including spectrum taken back from STEL, should be put to auction.

     

    Spectrum in 700 MHz band should be offered in the block size of 5 MHz (paired). In case a TSP is able to win more than one block of spectrum in the upcoming auctions, it should be allocated spectrum in contiguous blocks.

     

    In case a TSP is able to win more than one block of spectrum in 2100 MHz band, it should be allocated spectrum in contiguous blocks. Similarly, if the TSP already having spectrum in the 2100 MHz band, acquires additional carrier, it should be ensured that all its carriers are contiguous.  

     

    Spectrum in the 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands should be put to auction in the block size of 10 MHz (unpaired). Currently, spectrum trading in 2300/2500 MHz band is permitted in the block size of 20 MHz. The Authority also recommended that after network synchronisation of all the TDD networks, spectrum trading in 2300/2500 MHz band should be permitted in the blocks of 10 MHz.

     

    Existing provision of a cap of 25 per cent of the ‘total spectrum assigned’ in 700/800/900/1800/ 2100/2300/2500 MHz bands and 50 per cent within a given band in each of the access service area shall apply for total spectrum holding by each TSP.

     

    The roll-out obligations to be imposed for licensees who acquire access spectrum in 700 MHz band should be: all towns/villages having population of 15,000 or more but less than 50,000 to be covered within five years of effective date of allocation of spectrum for access services and all villages having population of 10,000 or more but less than 15,000 to be covered within seven years of effective date of allocation of spectrum; to prevent, duplication of infrastructure, a TSP should also be permitted to fulfil the obligations by sharing network of other operator to the extent permissible as per guidelines/instructions applicable from time to time.

     

    The Authority recommended that the quantum of test fee for the purpose of roll-out testing requirements may be reduced to 20 per cent of the existing rates for testing in the block headquarters (for phase 3, 4 and 5 of the rollout obligations) and similarly for testing of coverage in rural SDCAs.

  • Enforcing Net Neutrality: A continuous monitoring challenge

    Enforcing Net Neutrality: A continuous monitoring challenge

    NEW DELHI: Participants at a discussion on net neutrality feel that the Department of Telecom’s (DoT) recommendations on the subject are ‘soft approaches’ for bigger violations that impact principles of Net Neutrality.

     

    Furthermore, it was felt that there seem to be no recommendations on quantum of penalty or punishments in case of deliberate violations on Net Neutrality.   

     

    The Indian Legal Foundation (TILF) – a New Delhi based Think Tank organization – in association with Grandmasters India conducted the Brainstorming and Forum Discussion focusing on the various aspects of Net Neutrality with participants from corporates, government, politics, NGOs and startups.

     

    Even as the DoT panel lead by A K Bhargava released its report on Net Neutrality, there still remained concerns among the free Internet proponents about the enforcement of principles of Net Neutrality.

     

    The DoT panel suggestions on enforcing Net Neutrality included enacting a law, amending licensing conditions, creating a DoT monitoring cell and also creating training institutions to monitor Net Neutrality violations.

     

     “While we appreciate the overall intent of DoT report, but where does it talk about penalties, like we saw in the recent AT&T case in United States,” asked TILF chairperson, government affairs Renu Jha.

     

    Jha further said, “We need to create a regulatory body with powers to impose fine and punishments. It is a necessary step towards creating and regulating Net Neutrality in India.”

     

    While welcoming DoT recommendations, Samsung general counsel Rajendra Sharma said, “There still needs to be a lot of work in creating an appropriate legislation around the governance of Internet in India. We need to incorporate best practices from EU and United States to ensure freedom of Internet in India.”

     

    The Think Tank Event was presided over by Member of Parliament and mediaperson Tarun Vijay, who is among the most vocal proponents of free Internet in India and has equated net neutrality to Human Rights of Digital Age. 

     

    “Net Neutrality is core and essential to the government programme on skill development, Digital India and Make In India. Government and Indian parliament is committed to Net Neutrality. Any apprehension on recent DoT recommendation will be debated and government will fight for democracy of Internet,” said Vijay.

     

    The event was also marked by a number of startups concerned about their growth in case telcos are allowed to disseminate discriminatory tariffs or bandwidth to users.

     

    “Will it not be a classic case of crony capitalism if startup applications are discriminated as they are unable to cuff up extra bug for telcos,” asked Yogesh Kochar, a social media start up for school students in India. Agreeing with young startup entrepreneurs, Jha stated, “India is hub of startups for quality software and mobile applications. Any pricing or accessibility discrimination against newer applications by Telcos will certainly kill their growth and stifle innovation.”

     

    The Government’s hypothesis needs to be supported – “Good” regulations are better than “No” regulations at all. We do not want Indian Government or DoT to be silent on this important subject. If they remain silent and do not positively support Net Neutrality, ISPs on a later date can disrupt access to websites that do not pay them or compete with their interests. Indeed, the survival of Internet depends on DoT and Government of India and it’s implementation and enforcement of principles of Net Neutrality.

  • MSOs, LCOs working towards increasing broadband reach: I&B

    MSOs, LCOs working towards increasing broadband reach: I&B

    NEW DELHI: Officials in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said that several multi-system operators (MSOs) and local cable operators (LCOs) were already helping in increasing the reach of broadband throughout the country.

     

    However, these officials told Indiantelevision.com that they were unaware of any approach to the Ministry by the Department of Telecom (DoT) to seek the help of MSOs and LCOs for this purpose.

     

    They agreed that using LCOs would help as this segment had the last mile connectivity all over the country. In any case, it was felt that MSOs and LCOs – being private businesses – could be approached directly by the DoT.

     

    It was stated by LCO and MSO sources that several LCOs were already involved in the business of broadband penetration in addition to television. Furthermore some MSOs and LCOs already had licences for this purpose. One MSO said that the DoT had in fact already devised different categories of licensing for such purposes.

     

    The Broadband Policy 2004 had also suggested that cable TV network be used as a franchisee network of the service provider for provisioning broadband services, the official added.

     

    Some MSOs and LCOs have held a meeting with DoT in this connection, and sought certain facilities. 

     

    The government plans to provide broadband connectivity across the country and it has to work on many fronts, the official said adding that one is National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), which will cover villages, and the other will be to ensure Internet connectivity in cities and small towns.

     

    The government plans to utilise Universal Service Obligation Fund to provide incentives to ensure coverage in such areas through viability gap funding, DoT officials said. 

  • TRAI gives recommendation for reserve price per MHz in 800 MHz band

    TRAI gives recommendation for reserve price per MHz in 800 MHz band

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended fresh reserve prices per MHz for auction of 800 MHz spectrum in the light of current data trends and other relevant factors since the valuation exercise was carried out in February 2014.

    Accordingly, the recommended reserve price per MHz in the metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata is Rs 494 crore, Rs 352 crore, and Rs 117 crore, respectively.

    The reserve price for the north-east is Rs 11 crore and for Jammu and Kashmir it is Rs 28 crore per MHz.

    The authority has once again reiterated its recommendation that the entire available spectrum with the DoT in the 800 MHz band should be put to auction.

    As the PSUs (MTNL/BSNL) are not using the spectrum in the 800 MHz band, the authority has reiterated its recommendations that the DoT should take back from MTNL its entire spectrum holding in the 800MHz band. The BSNL should be allowed to retain only one CDMA carrier in all the LSAs except in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and North-East LSAs, where it can retain both the carriers. The DoT should take back other carriers assigned to BSNL in the 800 MHz band.”

    The chances of participation by a prospective new bidder will be more if it is offered contiguous 5 MHz of spectrum. It would make it feasible to deploy any technology. Therefore, the authority has reiterated its recommendations that “at least one chunk  of contiguous  5 MHz spectrum (i.e. 4  carriers)  should  be  carved  out  before  the  auction.  New ‘entrants must be assigned the earmarked  contiguous  carriers.”

     

  • TRAI asked to rework on spectrum auction policy by Telecom Commission

    TRAI asked to rework on spectrum auction policy by Telecom Commission

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Commission is understood to have asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to rework its policy with regard to spectrum auction.

     
    The directive follows study by an internal committee of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which rejected the regulator’s recommendation to conduct the next round of auction after keeping enough spectrum.
     

    TRAI in its recommendations had said the government should release enough spectrum before the next round of auction which is slated to take place before March 2015. TRAI has the support of major telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications.
     

    The DoT internal committee has said it is not clear when additional spectrum will be vacated by the Defence Ministry. The DoT committee feels that there is no point in stalling the sale of what is already available
     

    In its recommendation, TRAI said the Defence Ministry should vacate the spectrum in the 2,100 MHz band. In addition, TRAI proposed that Bharatiya Sanchar Nigam Limited should surrender 1.2 MHz spectrum in the 900 MHz band.
     

    The amount of spectrum being put up for auction early next year is less than the 2G spectrum currently being used by mobile operators whose licenses are due for renewal and this may lead to problems, observers in the telecom industry said.

     

  • TRAI seeks clarifications with regard to spectrum allotted to Defence

    TRAI seeks clarifications with regard to spectrum allotted to Defence

    NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked the Department of Telecom (DoT) to clarify whether discussions with Defence to release one block of 5 MHz is for the same block which has been already auctioned in five out of 22 LSAs or the discussion would result in release of one more block of spectrum, thus, making two blocks of spectrum available
    for auction.
     
    The letter from TRAI Secretary Sudhir Gupta follows a letter received from the WPC Wing asking TRAI to provide recommendations on: (a) Applicable reserve price for 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands for all the service areas in both the cases, that is, spectrum available in entire service area and spectrum partially available in any service area; (b) Auction of the right to use of spectrum in a band with varying validity periods (less than 20 years) so that expiry of validity period of right to use of spectrum in a band in a service area occurs at same time.
     
    TRAI has asked the DoT to provide information/ clarifications relating to the 2100 MHz band.
     
    The WPC has informed that at present no vacant spectrum is available with the DoT in 2100 MHz band and discussions with Defence are underway for release of one block of 5 MHz of spectrum. In its recommendations on ‘Valuation of Reserve Price of Spectrum: Licenses Expiring in 2015-16’ dated 15 October, TRAI had mentioned that the DoT has assigned the fifth block of 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band in 5 LSAs and in the remaining 17 LSAs, the spectrum is available with the DoT.
     
    The Authority in its recommendations also recommended that entire 2X60 MHz in the 2100 MHz band should be made available for commercial use. If required, Defence may be assigned spectrum in the 1900 MHz band (1910-1920/1980-1990 MHz). It was further recommended
    that this matter is of utmost importance, therefore it must be taken up at the highest level and the vacant 3G slots should be put to auction along with the spectrum in 900 and 1800 MHz bands.
     
    In the letter, Gupta says TRAI will not be in a position to go ahead with the consultation process in the absence of full information with regard to total availability of the spectrum in the 2100 MHz band. Therefore, DoT is requested to indicate the decision regarding the above at the earliest.
     
    With regard to 2300 MHz band, the auction was conducted in June 2010 and two blocks across the 22 service areas were sold. However, even after four and half years of assignment of spectrum, no Telecom Service Provider has actually done any worthwhile rollout.
     
    Therefore, the Authority would like to know if in spite of such poor utilisation of earlier auctioned spectrum even after more than four years, the DoT believes that there will be takers for this spectrum at this point of time.
     
    TRAI had in a letter on 8 March 2013 informed DoT that in ten service areas, the guard band available between the spectrum assigned to different BWA spectrum holders is just 2.5 MHz, and this may result in severe interference in asynchronous TOO networks. TSPs have also suggested that the solution to the problem of interference in such a scenario can either be achieved by use of similar frame configuration (for uplinking and downlinking) or rearranging the assigned frequencies, so as to have a wider guard band.
     
    According to the present proposal of DoT, in 6 more LSAs, the guard band between different
    TSPs will reduce to 2.5 MHz.
     
    TRAI has also said that DoT may like to inform whether any study in this regard has been conducted to examine the concerns expressed by TSPs; and if so, DoT’s decision on this issue.
     
    Referring to the 2500 MHz band, TRAI says this band is very important and unique in the sense that it provides a substantial amount of spectrum (190 MHz) that has been allocated on a primary basis in all three International Telecommunications Union regions for terrestrial mobile communication. As per ITU-R recommendations there are three recommended frequency arrangements in this band. Most countries have followed an approach aligned with ITU Option I band plan (C1). The frequency spots in 2500 MHz band as shown in the annexure to the DoT letter are at variance with the Option I band plan of ITU which may result in the non-optimal use of the spectrum for all time to come. The decision on harmonisation of this band is pending for an inordinately long time.
     
    TRAI says there is urgent need to decide the issue so that this band can be used optimally for commercial as well as strategic purposes.
     
    According to current trends, the 700 MHz/800 MHz spectrum band known as the digital dividend frequencies and these bands are the ideal complement to 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz spectrum band using carrier aggregation techniques for LTE and LTE advanced technologies. The Authority in its recommendations of 15 October 2014 has recommended that the Government should announce the roadmap for auction of 700 MHz band before conduct of the upcoming auctions. The DoT may decide whether it wants to go ahead with the auction of spectrum in 2500 MHz band before conducting the auction in 700 MHz band.
     
    The letter says that DoT may also please confirm that it would like to go for auction without harmonising the band, in spite of the aforementioned implications.
     
    Referring to the validity period of right to use spectrum, TRAI has requested DoT to inform the ‘effective date’ of spectrum assignment for both administratively-assigned spectrum and auction-assigned spectrum for all TSPs in each of the service areas. It has also been noted that rollout obligation of TSPs is linked with the spectrum assignment that has been allocated for 20 years. Changes in the validity period will disturb the rollout obligations linked with the various spectrum auctions since 2010. DoT may indicate how rollout obligations are going to be ensured, going forward.