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Spectrum allocation during UPA tenure: A. Raja

Special Correspondent

Mobile operators have been at loggerheads over the issue

NEW DELHI: Communications and Information Technology Minister A. Raja on Friday said the spectrum needed by telecom companies for launching next generation mobile services would be allocated during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

“Spectrum needed for launching of ‘Third Generation’ (3G) mobile services will be rolled out soon. I am sure the services will start during the UPA regime,” Mr. Raja told reporters after inaugurating the conference “Emerging Trends in Wireless Technologies and Services” here.

The allocation of precious radio waves for expanding and strengthening mobile connectivity and for launching 3G mobile services offering high-speed data transfer and downloading facilities on mobile phones has been much talked about. While the government awaits release of additional spectrum by the defence forces to give to it to telecom companies, mobile operators have been at loggerheads over the process for the allocation of radio waves.

Rural telephony

Speaking at the event, Mr. Raja said the government was giving special attention to rural telephony.

“Low penetration in rural areas has been a cause for concern, but since last one year, rural telephony has come on fast track. During the last one year, rural tele-density has increased from two per cent to nearly eight per cent. Much of the growth is driven by wireless technology. Our target of 25 per cent rural tele-density will require a lot of collective efforts by the government and the industry,” he added.

Telecom Secretary S. Behura said broad guidelines for 3G mobile services and broadband wireless access (BWA) services have been announced recently. With this, the level of broadband penetration in the country, especially in rural areas, would be addressed.

He said as radio frequency spectrum was a limited natural resource, the complexity involved in accommodating new technologies required thoughtful consideration of a number of issues, including balancing of conflicting and competing requirements.

While considering the spectrum requirements of new emerging wireless technologies, the legitimate and genuine requirements of existing technologies and services could not be ignored. Hence, the government’s endeavour was to make room for accommodating new wireless technologies with adequate protection to existing operations, Mr. Behura added.

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