DoT annual report talks of new 3G norms: Where are they?
The annual report 2008-09 of DoT states that the government has released new guidelines for 3G telecom spectrum and it provides for a reserve price for availing of radio frequency.
The annual report 2008-09 of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has stated that the government has released new guidelines for 3G (third generation) telecom spectrum and it provides for a reserve price for availing of radio frequency.
In reality, there are no new 3G guidelines after the one issued in September 2008, around 10 months ago. DoT had announced the revised auction timetable for 3G in January 2009, but put it on hold subsequently as the finance ministry wanted the reserve price doubled.
Now, the finance ministry officials have confirmed that the estimates on 3G (third generation) telecom revenues, as contained in the Budget document, are based on the reserve price of Rs 4,040 crore per operator for auction of pan-India spectrum. Earlier, the government was targeting a revenue base of around Rs 20,000 crore from 3G auction, but at that time the reserve price was set at Rs 2,020 crore per operator for pan-India spectrum.
Officials however have clarified that the final amount coming from 3G auction could be higher or lower than Rs 35,000 crore, depending on what the auction range is. The finance ministry expects this money to come in by December.
The annual report has also said that the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) is currently putting in all the resources to determine the actual status of the usage of the frequency spots identified for 3G services.
According to the report, the total spectrum charges collected from telcos have risen over the years.
From Rs 677 crore in 2003-04, it has gone up to Rs 1,040 crore in 2004-05, Rs 1396 crore in 2005-06, Rs 2,090.39 crore in 2006-07, Rs 3,055.72 crore in 2007-08 and Rs 3,454.55 crore in 2008-09.
The licence fee amount has fluctuated from Rs 8,421 crore in 2003-04, Rs 6,816 crore in 2004-05, Rs 6,624 crore in 2005-06, Rs 7,037.92 crore in 2006-07, Rs 8,855.24 crore in 2007-08, and Rs 3,997.02 crore in 2008-09.
The licence fee collected in 2003-04 included the one time entry fee for licences also.
Complaints about DoT
The annual report contains information on vigilance activities related to DoT also.
During 2008-09, a total of 335 complaints were handled by the Vigilance Wing of DoT. The complaints came from ministers, MPs, MLAs, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
Besides investigation, advice of disciplinary action was given against 14 officials of the Department. In this period, 25 officers were charge sheeted, 51 punished for major penalty, and 15 punished for minor penalty.
As for CVC, the nodal agency of the government having jurisdiction over all ministries, departments, PSUs for vigilance related issues, 11 complaints were received from it during 2008-09 financial year. In addition, four CVC complaints were pending as on April 1, 2008. By end of March 2009, only four CVC complaints were disposed, while 11 remained.
In reality, there are no new 3G guidelines after the one issued in September 2008, around 10 months ago. DoT had announced the revised auction timetable for 3G in January 2009, but put it on hold subsequently as the finance ministry wanted the reserve price doubled.
Now, the finance ministry officials have confirmed that the estimates on 3G (third generation) telecom revenues, as contained in the Budget document, are based on the reserve price of Rs 4,040 crore per operator for auction of pan-India spectrum. Earlier, the government was targeting a revenue base of around Rs 20,000 crore from 3G auction, but at that time the reserve price was set at Rs 2,020 crore per operator for pan-India spectrum.
Officials however have clarified that the final amount coming from 3G auction could be higher or lower than Rs 35,000 crore, depending on what the auction range is. The finance ministry expects this money to come in by December.
The annual report has also said that the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) is currently putting in all the resources to determine the actual status of the usage of the frequency spots identified for 3G services.
According to the report, the total spectrum charges collected from telcos have risen over the years.
From Rs 677 crore in 2003-04, it has gone up to Rs 1,040 crore in 2004-05, Rs 1396 crore in 2005-06, Rs 2,090.39 crore in 2006-07, Rs 3,055.72 crore in 2007-08 and Rs 3,454.55 crore in 2008-09.
The licence fee amount has fluctuated from Rs 8,421 crore in 2003-04, Rs 6,816 crore in 2004-05, Rs 6,624 crore in 2005-06, Rs 7,037.92 crore in 2006-07, Rs 8,855.24 crore in 2007-08, and Rs 3,997.02 crore in 2008-09.
The licence fee collected in 2003-04 included the one time entry fee for licences also.
Complaints about DoT
The annual report contains information on vigilance activities related to DoT also.
During 2008-09, a total of 335 complaints were handled by the Vigilance Wing of DoT. The complaints came from ministers, MPs, MLAs, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
Besides investigation, advice of disciplinary action was given against 14 officials of the Department. In this period, 25 officers were charge sheeted, 51 punished for major penalty, and 15 punished for minor penalty.
As for CVC, the nodal agency of the government having jurisdiction over all ministries, departments, PSUs for vigilance related issues, 11 complaints were received from it during 2008-09 financial year. In addition, four CVC complaints were pending as on April 1, 2008. By end of March 2009, only four CVC complaints were disposed, while 11 remained.