In a move that could have ramifications for future spectrum availability for mobile services, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has complained to the Finance Minister that the Department of Telecom has not fulfilled its commitments under an agreement signed in 2009.

The agreement between DoT and MoD was done to ensure that the defence forces vacated spectrum for 3G auction. In return, the telecom department had promised several things including an optic fibre cable network for the defence, earmarking spectrum for an exclusive defence interest zone and waiving spectrum usage charges for the armed forces.

Letter to FM

The MoD has now written to the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, that although the defence had kept its part of the deal, the DoT has not adhered to even one of the promises made. “Ministry of Communications (MoC) has not been able to adhere to even one of its commitments despite several efforts by this Ministry. The matter was accordingly taken up by the Defence Secretary in the High Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC) chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. The decisions taken by this Committee have also not been fulfilled by the MoC, even though the MoD has honoured the decisions,” said a letter from the Defence Minister, Mr A. K. Antony, to the Finance Ministry.

Delayed promises

The MoD said that there is disquiet among the armed forces on the delay in laying the optic fibre cable network and notifying the Defence Band. “These decisions are essential not only to establish the credibility of the MoU but also to ensure release of spectrum by the Services in future. You will appreciate that this Ministry will find it difficult to implement the remaining provisions of the MoU in the future in the absence of progress on these issues,” the letter said.

According to the MoU signed in 2009 the defence is supposed to release 10 Mhz of 2G spectrum and more air waves for 3G and broadband services.

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