Aggressive spectrum auctions needed: Trai

NEW DELHI: Trai chief Rahul Khullar on Wednesday said the government should be "more aggressive" in auction of spectrum, including in the highly efficient and cost-effective 700 MHz band, and criticized the "standoff" between various wings of the Centre in releasing the coveted mobile airwaves. "It is time for the government to be far more aggressive on this (spectrum auction) front than it has been hitherto," Khullar said at a 'Mobile India Summit' organized by industry association Assocham.

The telecom regulator head said it will be wiser for the government to efficiently release more spectrum to increase broadband penetration, instead of laying optic fibre network across the country. "We need more spectrum. If spectrum is available, then there is no point in laying fibre."

The Trai chief said his organization has already spoken about spectrum auctions in the 700 MHz band, which was with the information & broadcasting ministry.

The 700 MHz band airwaves are considered more efficient than any of the other bands as they require relatively-lower investments on infrastructure and offer better coverage and faster data speeds. "It's time to end the standoff between one department of the government and another," Khullar said.

The Trai chief also wondered whether all spectrum will continue to be sold through auction only for fear of CAG or CBI inquiries or the airwaves will be easily available through the route of de-licensing.