The ministries of Telecom and Information and Broadcasting have agreed to use over 200 MHz spectrum earmarked for broadcasting services, the majority of which is with Doordarshan, for advanced mobile services.
"Doordarshan may not need entire spectrum between 470-698 MHz. Once ITU decides it to be allocated for mobile services in the Asian region, DoT will pitch for it to be deployed for wireless broadband services," an official source told PTI.
"India has already represented at World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) through DoT to get this band for mobile services," the official added.
The official said the I&B and Telecom ministries have aligned to use this spectrum band for mobile services.
"This is first time both ministries smoothly agreed on spectrum. The decision was conveyed to the delegation in ITU on November 24. If we are firm on this band for mobile services now, the ecosystem will take around 5-8 years to develop," the official said.
Early this year, the spectrum auction of about 380 MHz airwaves across various bands fetched government bids worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a body under the United Nations, coordinates with countries to allocate spectrum for various technologies.
However, ITU could not approve usage of this spectrum for advance mobile services as Iran objected to interference in services from Pakistan. Pakistan, in turn, was opposed to its use in India, a member of the India delegation, who did not wish to be named, said.
A big chunk of spectrum in 450 MHz band in India is marked for broadcast services, including over 100 MHz spectrum between 585 MHz-698 MHz. Part of this is also being used by other government agencies.
Doordarshan has vacated 700 MHz band spectrum, which the government is planning to auction now. To give you a perspective, France, which is around one-fifth of India's size, recently realised about USD 2.98 billion from the auction of 30 MHz of paired frequency.
In Brazil, the 450 MHz band is being used for 4G services at a very low cost, especially at locations where the population is less. The technology is still being evolved to address issues like interference.
It has the potential to support a boom in machine-to-machine communication like real-time surveillance using wireless video camera and transmission of health record automatically to hospitals.
"At WRC, India supported inclusion of 470-698 MHz for international mobile telecommunications (IMT) service area. It is a good step forward, especially for broadband coverage in rural areas," COAI Director General Rajan S Mathews said.
"Now, the world knows India's stand. We will see companies approaching us for developing its ecosystem here.
(REOPEN DEL70)
To make spectrum auction more liberal and attract bidders, DoT has reduced eligibility points in key circles like Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and Karnataka thereby reducing bank guarantee required for these circles for placing bids.
The DoT has increased time duration of bidding rounds for first five rounds to 90 minutes from 60 minutes earlier as industry players wanted more time to take decision in which multiple mobile airwaves is being put for auction.
The government for the first time has promised to assign spectrum within 30 days of making upfront payment by successful bidders.
Telecom companies winning spectrum in 700, 800 and 900 Mhz band will have to pay at least 25 per cent of the bid amount initially within 10 days the auction ends. Rest of the payment will have to be paid in 10 annual instalments after two years of moratorium.
For rest of the bands, at least 50 per cent of payment will have to made.
Government expects about Rs 64,000 crore upfront collection this financial year.
The total quantum of spectrum being put for auction includes about 197 Mhz of frequencies in 1800 Mhz band and 37.5 Mhz in 800 Mhz band (CDMA band).
DoT has clarified that it will be able to provide airwaves in 800 Mhz band (at present used for 4G and CDMA service) only after vacation by BSNL in some circles and in some after a stipulated date. The DoT has promised to provide spectrum to successful bidders within 30 days of making payment for the bids.
