Raja for change in GoM terms of reference

Communications Minister A Raja has asked for a change in the terms of reference of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on spectrum, set up under the chairmanship of Pranab Mukherjee to resolve the spectrum ownership issue. Raja is also open to the suggestion of the finance ministry to include the "pricing of spectrum" in the ambit of the GoM.

Citing the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Raja has claimed that the department of telecommunications is the owner and licensor of spectrum in the country and licensees like the defence forces and others will have to pay for using it.

Raja will meet Defence Minister AK Antony and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee next week to make changes in the terms of reference. Raja said, "I am open for a discussion on the issue of pricing of spectrum. If the finance ministry wants it to be discussed, we will discuss".

The GoM will meet this month to look into the ways to vacate unutilised spectrum from the defence forces and other occupants for using it to up the capacity of mobile telephony in the country.