Study to find spectrum needs of defence forces

TELECOM TANGLE

The government has commissioned a technical study to determine the spectrum requirement of defence forces, Telecommunications Minister A Raja said in teh Rajya Sabha.

He, however, did not give a timeframe by which the study will be completed.

A Group of Ministers (GoM) has been constituted for vacation of spectrum and raising resources for the purpose.

"In its first meeting (in September 2007), the GoM decided among others, to setup a committee under the National Security Adviser for speedy release/vacation of spectrum," he said.

Raja added the meeting of the committee scheduled in February 2008 had been postponed and but it will take place soon.

The issue of spectrum allocation has always been stonewalled by the defence ministry's objections.

This happened at several Cabinet meetings after which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided to set up a GoM, under External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee in 2006.