DoT to await Telecom Engineering Centre’s word on spectrum
The DoT is likely to wait for the Telecom Engineering Centre's report on efficient utilisation of spectrum before taking any view on enhancing the subscriber linked criteria as recommended by TRAI.
By Joji Thomas Philip, TNN |
NEW DELHI: The DoT is likely to wait for the Telecom Engineering Centre’s (TEC) report on efficient utilisation of spectrum before taking any view on enhancing the subscriber linked criteria as recommended by Trai. The regulator had proposed that the subscriber linked 2G spectrum criteria be tweaked as an interim measure, where the subscriber base be increased by several multiples for additional spectrum allocation.
“Even before Trai’s recommendations, the DoT had asked the TEC to study the issue. The TEC is studying instances in other advanced countries to arrive at a criterion for allocating additional spectrum. It is also looking at various new technologies such as synthesised frequency hopping, tighter frequency reuse plan, adaptive multi rate codec, discontinuous transmission and in-building solutions. Its report will be out within the next four weeks. Trai’s interim solution will be studied against this report,” sources told ET.
At the same time, the DoT on Friday circulated a questionnaire among all stakeholders seeking their views on new spectrum allocation criteria and pricing of the radio frequency waves. The DoT has asked them to specify their views on how spectrum should be valued, the investment required for the same and other related issues. Operators have also been asked to state reasons behind their views on whether the pricing of spectrum be based on its valuation.
At present, spectrum for second generation mobile services is awarded to both CDMA and GSM operators once their subscriber base crosses a pre-defined level. This criteria, depends on three variables — the technology, the number of subscribers in the Visitor Location Register (VLR) and the service area. For instance, under the existing policy , a GSM player in Delhi and Mumbai must have 0.6 million subscribers to be eligible for 8 MHz of spectrum, 1 million for 10 MHz of radio frequencies, 1.6 million users for 12.4 MHz and 2.1 million customers before being awarded 15 MHz of spectrum.
Trai had recommended that as an interim measure, these subscriber linked criteria be raised to 1.5 million for 8 MHz, 2 million for 10 MHz, 3 million for 12.4 MHz and 5 million for 15 MHz for GSM players. Similarly, Trai had also recommended multiple scale increase to the pre-defined subscriber levels the other metros of Chennai and Kolkata, Category A, B and C circles for operators to get additional spectrum. Trai had also suggested that these interim solutions be used until a multi-disciplinary committee formulates new criteria.
The DoT’s move to await the TEC’s report comes as a relief to operator. The Cellular Operators Association of India, the body representing all GSM operators had pointed out that Trai’s recommendations, which proposed a tightening of subscriber linked criteria by more than 4-5 times was completely arbitrary and not backed by any scientific and technical logic.
“Even before Trai’s recommendations, the DoT had asked the TEC to study the issue. The TEC is studying instances in other advanced countries to arrive at a criterion for allocating additional spectrum. It is also looking at various new technologies such as synthesised frequency hopping, tighter frequency reuse plan, adaptive multi rate codec, discontinuous transmission and in-building solutions. Its report will be out within the next four weeks. Trai’s interim solution will be studied against this report,” sources told ET.
At the same time, the DoT on Friday circulated a questionnaire among all stakeholders seeking their views on new spectrum allocation criteria and pricing of the radio frequency waves. The DoT has asked them to specify their views on how spectrum should be valued, the investment required for the same and other related issues. Operators have also been asked to state reasons behind their views on whether the pricing of spectrum be based on its valuation.
At present, spectrum for second generation mobile services is awarded to both CDMA and GSM operators once their subscriber base crosses a pre-defined level. This criteria, depends on three variables — the technology, the number of subscribers in the Visitor Location Register (VLR) and the service area. For instance, under the existing policy , a GSM player in Delhi and Mumbai must have 0.6 million subscribers to be eligible for 8 MHz of spectrum, 1 million for 10 MHz of radio frequencies, 1.6 million users for 12.4 MHz and 2.1 million customers before being awarded 15 MHz of spectrum.
Trai had recommended that as an interim measure, these subscriber linked criteria be raised to 1.5 million for 8 MHz, 2 million for 10 MHz, 3 million for 12.4 MHz and 5 million for 15 MHz for GSM players. Similarly, Trai had also recommended multiple scale increase to the pre-defined subscriber levels the other metros of Chennai and Kolkata, Category A, B and C circles for operators to get additional spectrum. Trai had also suggested that these interim solutions be used until a multi-disciplinary committee formulates new criteria.
The DoT’s move to await the TEC’s report comes as a relief to operator. The Cellular Operators Association of India, the body representing all GSM operators had pointed out that Trai’s recommendations, which proposed a tightening of subscriber linked criteria by more than 4-5 times was completely arbitrary and not backed by any scientific and technical logic.
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