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Thomas K. Thomas

The Cellular Operators of India said that the proposed move would isolate India from the rest of the world.

New Delhi , Sept. 23

THE crunch in spectrum availability continues with the Department of Telecom's wireless advisor shelving plans to create an India-specific radio frequency band for mobile services usage.

The move was mooted by the DoT in order to ease the pressure on the availability of spectrum in the bands traditionally used for mobile services globally.

However the move did not find favour with the mobile service providers, equipment manufacturers, defence agencies and the Doordarshan on the grounds that the proposed frequency band was not used for offering cellular services anywhere in the world and therefore was not feasible.

In view of the difficulty being faced by the DoT to find additional spectrum for the growing cellular industry, the Government was looking at the possibility of carving out about 100 Mhz spectrum in the band 620Mhz-720Mhz as an India specific band.

Most cellular operators have more subscribers than what they can accommodate in the given frequency, thereby affecting quality of service especially in the metros.

The Cellular Operators of India (COAI) said that the proposed move would isolate India from the rest of the world. "The finalisation of this band as one of the bands for global standardisation for mobile telephony services, would require, at least 6 to 7 years to be actually utilised for services.

The need of the hour is for additional spectrum for basic voice services. 700 Mhz should be considered for introducing enhanced mobile services like Mobile TV," COAI said.

The Association of Unified Services Providers of India said that efforts should be channelised into making available additional spectrum in the specified bands of the National Frequency Allocation Plan.

National broadcaster Doordarshan had also raised objections on the grounds that allocating the proposed band for mobile service would affect its plans for digital TV since it was using parts of the 700 Mhz band.

Following the objections, a committee headed by DoT's Wireless Advisor concluded that the India-specific band may not be productive and advisable.

"Factors such as having harmonised international bands, large-scale investments involved in R&D, high cost of equipment and doubts about international roaming have been noted by the committee and carving out 100 Mhz in the 620-720 Mhz may not be feasible," said a DoT source.

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