Defence spectrum band gets a relook

NEW DELHI: The department of telecom (DoT) and the armed forces have revived the plan to have a ���defence (spectrum) band��� or classifying all spectrum used by the forces into a single band.

With an exclusive spectrum band, the armed forces will develop or buy technologies that work only in their band, ensuring greater national security. Commercial users of spectrum such as telcos and broadcasters would be able to use only the civilian band.

Europe and the United States have divided all their spectrum, or airwaves on which signals used by communication, broadcasting and wireless internet travel, into civilian and military bands.

In India, the proposal to have a defence spectrum band was first mooted in 2005, but was put on the backburner. During recent meetings between officials of the communications and defence ministries, chaired by National Security Adviser MK Narayanan, it was decided that India would explore this model, sources told ET.

The concept will work as follows: Currently, the armed forces use radio frequencies across several frequency bands for their communication, signaling and other operations. All airwaves in the country will be divided into two categories ��� civilian and military, after talks between both ministries.

The defence forces will then have to vacate all airwaves (spectrum) that come under the civilian band. Both the communication and defence ministries will soon launch talks to resolve the complications associated with having a defence band.

For instance, both ministries will have to work out a model to compensate the armed forced on the costs incurred in shifting or reconfiguring all their systems to work on the defence band. Additionally, the armed forces may also have to buy new equipment.