The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will start allocation of 2G spectrum to operators soon after its decision on pricing of radio waves and priority list, which it expects to finalise in next 2-3 months.
"We will like certainly do it [spectrum allocation] as quickly as possible but there are two things that are required for all spectrum to be allocated to any of the company," Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar said.
"One is the pricing for which already there is a process and we hope over next two to three months that will come to close. Second is sequence and the priority in which it has to be given," he added.
The Telecom Secretary said that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has made certain recommendations and the DoT has written to it seeking additional inputs and explanation on some of the points that were recommended by the Authority.
"Once we receive response from the [Trai] we will have closure on that. I expect that once these two issues are decided then the part is cleared," he said.
The DoT, on October 10, wrote to Trai seeking clarification on various points on its recommendation made for spectrum management and Licensing Framework.
These clarification include Trai rationale behind fixing prescribed limit of 6.2 MHz for GSM and 5 MHz for CDMA for which 'current price' of spectrum should not be charged from the existing telecom companies throughout their licence period.
The Trai has said that current price is to charged for excess spectrum allocated to telecom operators beyond prescribed limit. However, DoT is also not clear on 'applicable date'- the date after which telecom players need to pay for additional spectrum allocated to them beyond prescribed limit.
The Trai on February 8, 2011 recommended April 1, 2010 as applicable date for charging the current price for spectrum allocated to GSM players in 1800 MHz frequency band and CDMA players in 800 MHz and 900 MHz (GSM) frequency band.
Later on May 3, Trai said the current price may be charged from the date of allocation in 2008-09, but subject to the outcome of various court cases.
The Telecom Secretary said that he expected Trai to send its response by October 25, after which the final view of DoT would be referred to Telecom Commission-the apex decision making body of DoT.
"After approval of Telecom Commission and a decision on it, we will start allocating spectrum. Pricing and priority both would be decided in two to three months time," Chandrashekar said.
