With the deal between Indian Space Research Organisation and Devas Multimedia coming to light, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is building its case to press the Department of Space (DoS) for vacating S-band spectrum for mobile services.

The DoT and DoS have been at loggerheads on S-band since 2009 when the former wanted to auction some spectrum in this band for broadband services. But at that time the DoS had blocked the move on grounds that it required the spectrum for strategic purposes. The DoT had also set up a committee to determine the spectrum charges for satellite services.

“If the DoS wants to use the S-band for commercial broadband services, in partnership with a private company, then it might as well make the spectrum available for all commercial telecom operators,” said a senior DoT official.

DoS controls 190 Mhz of spectrum in the S-band, of which, 80MHz is earmarked for Broadcast Satellite Service (BSS), and remaining 70MHz for Mobile Satellite Service (MSS). It is this 70 Mhz which would have gone to Devas as part an agreement with ISRO to lease out transponders.

The telecom regulator in May last year had recommended that the spectrum being used by various Government agencies, including the DoS, should be reviewed and re-farmed so that enough air waves is made available for commercial telecom services. The DoS, on the other hand, is not in favour of spectrum being re-farmed as their equipment functions at a specific frequency and any relocation would mean additional investments.

Lots of space

Mr Rajan Mathews, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said that the S-band is valuable for mobile operators because of the volume of spectrum that is available on it. “Most of the bands which are currently under use for mobile services are almost running full capacity. The Government needs to find newer bands for sustaining the growth in mobile services and S-band has a lot of space on it,” Mr Mathews said.

“Globally, this band is used for offering 4G technologies, including WiMax. Satellite services should be done on the Ku-band or above the 3.5 Ghz where there is plenty of bandwidth for them,” said Mr C. S. Rao, Chairman, WiMax Forum India.

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