Return unused spectrum: Ambani

RCom chief conveys willingness to surrender 1.8 MHz spectrum in Bihar circle.

Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani has proposed that the government should make it mandatory for telecom service providers to surrender additional spectrum that they are not utilising.

Putting his proposal into practice, Ambani has also conveyed his willingness to surrender the extra 1.8 MHz spectrum that his group has in the Bihar circle.

Ambani has called for a comprehensive policy that should look into the allocation of spectrum, provided "beyond entitlement" to certain operators, according to sources in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

He has suggested that the policy be framed by DoT and that it should include provisions for re-farming spectrum in the 900-1800 MHz band - within which frequencies GSM companies operate - to new entrants.

The sources said Ambani explained at a recent meeting that this would avoid hoarding of valuable spectrum, in turn helping to create a level playing field.

Ambani has also expressed his willingness to surrender an additional 1.8 MHz spectrum that was awarded to its GSM service provider Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL).

RTL had received spectrum under the 6.2 MHz band in all seven circles it operates in. The company, with a subscriber base of over 6 million, has excess spectrum in the Bihar circle and is ready to surrender this.

However, this should happen under a 'comprehensive policy' which ensures that all operators surrender excess spectrum.

Earlier, in a letter to the prime minister, Ambani had alleged that the three GSM operators, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular, together hold around 54.2 MHz of spectrum.

Airtel has in excess of 21.4 MHz, Vodafone 20.2 MHz and Idea Cellular 12.6 MHz under the 6.2 MHz band. The companies have added over 52.9 million customers without allocation of additional spectrum, he said in the letter.