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DoT to get just 10 MHz defence spectrum

The group of ministers which met to deliberate on unused defence spectrum, is learnt to have decided on giving 10 MHz to mobile telecom companies.

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The group of ministers (GoM), which met on Friday to deliberate on vacation of unused defence spectrum, is learnt to have decided on giving 10 MHz of spectrum to mobile telecom companies.

Sources close to the development told this newspaper that this spectrum is for 3G (third generation) services and that it can be freed immediately by the defence forces.

The GoM was attended by external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, defence minister AK Antony and communications minister A Raja among others.

The agreed quantum of spectrum that can be vacated is just a fifth of what was demanded by the telecommunications ministry. Against a demand for 50 MHz, the green signal has come for just 10 MHz of spectrum. The requirement of telcos is for both 2G (second generation) and 3G services. The Department of Telecom (DoT) was expecting 30 MHz of 3G spectrum and 20 MHz of 2G spectrum from the defence forces.

Spectrum is a scarce natural resource, essential for providing quality mobile telephony service.

It is learnt that for any further vacation of defence spectrum, the DoT must sign memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the defence ministry. The MoU is meant to take care of an alternate communication platform for the defence forces, in lieu of the spectrum proposed to be vacated.

The defence forces are of the view that they may need spectrum at a later stage for their own communication needs and therefore it should not be given away to telcos without a back-up plan.

As per the latest estimate, the optic fibre network which the defence forces want in lieu of the 50 MHz spectrum would cost the government Rs 14,000 crore.

Sources pointed out that the issue of auction of spectrum for 3G telecom services also came up at the GoM meeting.

Recently, the Union Cabinet had referred the matter of 3G spectrum auction to a GoM. But that GoM will be different from the one constituted more than two years ago for spectrum vacation.

Several issues including the reserve price for 3G auction are yet to be resolved. 3G auction, which was scheduled for January 16 and then January 31, is likely to be deferred beyond the current UPA regime.

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