The Hindu Business Line : ISPs say spectrum allocation favours mobile operators

New Delhi June 14 Internet service providers have told the Government that the current policy of allocating spectrum to mobile operators based on subscriber targets was an obstacle to the efficient use of scarce spectrum resources. The Internet operators said mobile operators should be asked to pay charges on a per megahertz basis as otherwise it leads to poor utilisation. ISPs have also said that the current policy for spectrum allocation was heavily in favour of cellular companies and interests of other spectrum users were not being considered.

"Since spectrum is not charged per megahertz, operators have little incentive in conserving spectrum for more widespread use by all who need them now or will do so in coming months. As direct beneficiaries of a regime that favours poor utilisation of spectrum, mobile telephony players alone should not be allowed to set agenda for the future use of spectrum," said the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI).

The ISPs want to provide inputs for the deliberations of the Group of Ministers convened by the Government to recommend optimal use of radio frequency spectrum by telecom players. "ISPAI regrets to point out that little or no attention seems to have been paid to the spectrum needs of holders of licences other than the holders of cellular mobile telephone services (CMTS) and universal access service (UASL) licence. While we believe the crunch for mobile spectrum is real and urgent, it is difficult to argue that it alone is the only challenge for spectrum management. Indeed, we believe that the current approach to spectrum for mobile services is itself at the root of insufficient access to wireless data services in the country," ISPAI said.

It pointed out that several Indian ISPs are significant users and providers of wireless services and therefore the policy should take a holistic approach.