The Hindu Business Line : TRAI paper on spectrum this week

THE Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will bring out a consultation paper on spectrum this week as part of its efforts to reduce spectrum prices and ensure its optimal utilisation.

"We have already made our recommendations to the Government regarding spectrum availability as part of our broadband report. We are now taking up with the Government to reduce the prices of spectrum," a senior TRAI official told Business Line.

Although TRAI has no direct role in spectrum pricing and allocation, the regulator is working with the Government to reduce the price paid by the Internet service providers for the scarce commodity.

"The distance-based slabs need to be reworked. Plus the WPC (Wireless Planning and Coordination wing of the Department of Telecom) needs to speed up the allocation process that at present can stretch up to six months," he said.

The pricing of spectrum was based on an opportunity cost of providing a leased line. Having brought down the prices of leased lines, the regulator now feels that the spectrum prices for private operators should also be brought down correspondingly.

Other issues that the regulator wants the Government to take up include availability of adequate data on spectrum already released to different entities.

"Spectrum is not only about telecom. The biggest user of spectrum is the Government itself, which uses it for defence, security and communication needs. But as of now, very little is known on who is using what. We feel that streamlining and computerisation of the WPC is urgently required," he said.

In its recommendations on broadband, TRAI has said that the different technologies of providing high-speed Internet access should be encouraged by the Government. These include both wire-line and wire-less delivery platforms. As per TRAI definition, broadband is an always on Internet connection with a minimum speed of 256 kilo-bits per second.

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