Defence ministry likely to vacate spectrum
Defence ministry is expected to release 42.5 Mhz of spectrum for Voice as well as 3G services.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: The department of telecom (DoT) is expecting the defence ministry to vacate spectrum for mobile services, including 3G services in the next two months as discussions with the armed forces are in the final stages, a senior communication ministry official said on Wednesday.
“The alternate communication network, will be completed within the next two months. The defence forces will use this network and vacate spectrum for commercial communication services,” additional secretary (telecom) R Bandyopadhyay, told newspersons on Wednesday.
The defence ministry is expected to release 42.5 Mhz of spectrum for voice as well as 3G services. At present, India’s telecom operators are unable to roll-out third generation services such as high-speed internet on mobiles, interactive gaming and mobile TV as the frequency bands in which these services operate are occupied by the defence forces.
The expansion of 2G services in several key circles have also hampered due to non-vacation of spectrum by the armed forces.
Earlier, speaking at a seminar organised by industry body Assocham, Mr Bandyopadhyay said that the government is also considering using the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to achieve its target of providing broadband access to 20 million households by 2010.
“Funds to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore needs to be utilised in a manner that all relevant stakeholders in the telecom sector come together to help India achieve the projected figure in the next three years,” he said.
The government would not only adhere to its projections and achieve them, but also connect the entire Northeast region with the telephone lines shortly, he added.
“The alternate communication network, will be completed within the next two months. The defence forces will use this network and vacate spectrum for commercial communication services,” additional secretary (telecom) R Bandyopadhyay, told newspersons on Wednesday.
The defence ministry is expected to release 42.5 Mhz of spectrum for voice as well as 3G services. At present, India’s telecom operators are unable to roll-out third generation services such as high-speed internet on mobiles, interactive gaming and mobile TV as the frequency bands in which these services operate are occupied by the defence forces.
The expansion of 2G services in several key circles have also hampered due to non-vacation of spectrum by the armed forces.
Earlier, speaking at a seminar organised by industry body Assocham, Mr Bandyopadhyay said that the government is also considering using the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to achieve its target of providing broadband access to 20 million households by 2010.
“Funds to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore needs to be utilised in a manner that all relevant stakeholders in the telecom sector come together to help India achieve the projected figure in the next three years,” he said.
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The government would not only adhere to its projections and achieve them, but also connect the entire Northeast region with the telephone lines shortly, he added.
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