Planning Commission for audit of spectrum usage

NEW DELHI: The government needs to audit spectrum usage and refarming of airwaves to ensure efficient utilisation of the natural resource, the 12th Five-Year Plan document has said.

The 12th Plan said a "significant amount of additional spectrum" would be needed with the introduction of new technologies, high bandwidth applications and increasing user base.

"While effective spectrum planning in this regard needs to be carried out, the requirement of spectrum in 60 GHz and above bands for all backhaul purposes, audit of spectrum usage and refarming of spectrum to ensure the efficient utilisation should also be taken into account during the 12th Plan Period," it added.

Under refarming of spectrum, telecom operators with 900 MHz airwaves will have to give these up and bid for the less efficient 1800 MHz at current prices. These telcos will be allowed to retain 2.5 MHz spectrum in the 900 mhz band, but that will also have to happen at auction determined prices.