Share, trade spectrum, optimise use of the scarce resource

The pricey outcome of the auction of radio frequencies for third-generation telecom services underlines the need for innovative management of available spectrum. Given the fact that none of the telecom players have opted for pan-India 3G operations, we need a proactive policy to boost spectrum sharing and trading and attendant techno-economic possibilities.

Telecom regulator Trai seems open, in its latest recommendations, to the idea of spectrum sharing and promises to bring out a separate paper on the subject, but is wholly opposed to spectrum trading.

This seems illogical; to allow one and not the other would be sub-optimal . After all, dynamic sharing of spectrum would necessitate trading, including in real time, for stepped-up usage.

The fact remains that with exclusive access to spectrum, some cellular capacity would always sit idle when the calls underway require less than full capacity , as happens over 98% of the time in wireless telephony . Also, except in metro service areas of very dense usage — and not in the entire metro — spectrum is more likely than not to be deployed sub-optimally . Hence, the huge scope for real-time sharing and exchange.

The policy objective ought to be to gainfully rev up spectral efficiency and maximise spectrum use, across telecom circles and operators, in the backdrop of rapid, worldbeating demand growth.

Back to back, the policy needs to encourage and fast-forward the design of novel handsets and telecom equipment, especially meant for cooperative sharing of spectrum. The point is that with path-breaking policy, the telecom sector here could emerge as the most innovative anywhere.

We do need trendsetting spectral solutions for a billion-plus , talkative, multimedia-adaptive people. The current policy of exclusive licensing of specific blocks of spectrum for different operators would look increasingly dated, given the fast-paced changes underway in network design and radio access technologies.

What’s in the works is broad convergence aiming to shore up spectrum sharing. Trai clearly needs to rethink its views on spectrum trading, and elaborate on the operational scheme of things for spectral sharing, and fast.