'Change spectrum norms'

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have sought that pricing of spectrum for non-mobile services be determined on the basis of per capita income of a region, rather than population density, as proposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in its recommendations on the spectrum policy.

"Trai had done well in suggesting a revised formulation (for spectrum pricing) by factoring in the technological developments... We urge you to consider per captia income, rather than population density as the determining factor," said the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), the body representing all ISPs, in its reply to the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunications.

The CDMA and GSM lobbies have already submitted their comments on the regulator's spectrum policy to the DoT. ISPAI has also sought another change in Trai's proposed formula for spectrum pricing, and said that constant multiplier should be fixed at a value no higher than 3000, as against 6724 recommended by the Authority.

It has also urged the government to de-license spectrum for WiMax services in order to popularise the same, while approving the spectrum policy.

"We agree with Trai's recommendation that the bands 5.150-5.350 GHz and 5.725-5.825 GHz should be de-licensed for outdoor usage, without any further delay," ISPAI said.

According to the association, de-licensing is necessary as WiMax has enormous potential to extend access networks, especially for broadband, to areas that were under-served or had no Internet penetration.

"Since most of the WiMax developments are being done in the 2.3-2.5 GHz and 3.4-3.7 GHz bands, it will be proper to make enabling provisions in the upcoming policy," they added. In August 2004, the government had de-licensed the 2.4 - 2.4835 GHz for indoor use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It then de-licensed this band for outdoor use in January 2005.

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Lend me your ears

The constant multiplier should be fixed at a value no higher than 3000 , as against 6724 recommended by Trai

De-license spectrum for WiMax services in order to popularise it

Since most of the WiMax developments are being done in the 2.3-2.5 GHz and 3.4-3.7 GHz bands, it will be proper to make enabling provisions in the upcoming policy