Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007
ePaper
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 ePaper |
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Government
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Security Info-Tech - Telecommunications Spectrum release: Minister meeting Security Advisor today
Our Bureau New Delhi, Oct. 16 The Communications and IT Minister, Mr A. Raja, is set to meet the National Security Advisor, Mr M.K. Narayanan, on Wednesday to discuss the release of spectrum for mobile operators. The outcome of the crucial meeting will have a far reaching impact on the policy being formulated for issuing spectrum to over 500 claimants. About 40 new companies have applied for new telecom licences even as existing operators are also demanding more spectrum. The NSA was given the mandate by a Group of Ministers headed by the External Affairs, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, to figure out ways to get spectrum vacated from the Defence forces. While the Defence has said that it is not prepared to vacate spectrum for second generation mobile (2G) services until the Department of Telecom sets up an alternative medium of communication, the Communications Ministry has expressed confidence that the radio waves will be available by November. “I am meeting the NSA tomorrow... hope to get spectrum soon,” Mr Raja said on the sidelines of a function organised by FICCI. While the DoT has been of late focusing more on 2G mobile policy, if the Defence decides to initially release 3G spectrum first, then the telecom department will have to rethink its plan of action. DoT officials said that they are also working on the 3G policy simultaneously to be ready for such an eventuality. The DoT Secretary, Mr Dinesh Mathur, today said the DoT is looking at various options like auctioning of 3G spectrum or standard allotment. 3G auctionIf DoT decides to auction 3G spectrum, foreign players could bid for 3G licences in India. However, if Mr Raja manages to get 2G spectrum, then it is unlikely that the Government will change its existing policy for new applicants. “Having received so many applications, we cannot change the policy. Existing criteria will be applied in the background of TRAI recommendations to allocate spectrum to new and existing players,” the Minister said. He added that once DoT scrutinises all the 500 applications, then the Ministry would spell out the details of the policy especially on the subscriber-based allocation method. Mr Mathur said that the final policy could be announced within the next one week. Spectrum for mobile services will be available in Nov: Raja Spectrum deal being worked out ‘Defence open to vacating spectrum’ Air Force may soon vacate spectrum for mobile users More Stories on : Security | Telecommunications | Politics
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