The Hindu : Front Page : Spectrum roadmap announced

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 19, 2008
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Spectrum roadmap announced

Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI: The government on Friday announced the roadmap for allocation of GSM spectrum up to 15 MHz with the increase in subscriber base, but maintained that airwaves will be given subject to availability.

The additional spectrum will be given in multiples of one MHz and this would be followed as an interim measure. The announcement is in line with the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which had suggested spectrum allocation till 15 Mhz. The Wireless Planning and Coordination wing under the Department of Telecom had earlier notified the subscriber base criteria for GSM spectrum allotment for up to 7.2 MHz.

Under the new order, which comes into effect immediately, GSM service providers will need to have a subscriber base of 15 lakh in metro areas to become eligible for spectrum of 6.2 MHz and 18 lakh for spectrum of 7.2 MHz. Mobile firms need to have 65 lakh subscribers in these cities with 14.2 Mhz of spectrum before they can be considered for allocation of the last quantum of 0.8 megahertz till the limit of 15 Mhz.

The revenue share for spectrum charges, as per orders in this regard, would apply on the AGR for the complete service area, WPC said.

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