Telecom Spectrum Allocation in India

1.     What is spectrum?Bluetooth short range servicesxix) 2483.5-3300
The word spectrum refers to a collection ofSpace communicationsxx) 3300-3600   not
various types of electromagnetic radiations ofallocated.xxi) 3600-10000 Space research, radio
different wavelengths.  Spectrum or airwavesnavigationxxii)  10000 – used for satellite
are the radio frequencies on which alldownlink for broadcast and DTH services
communication singnals travel. In India the radio4.     Telecom spectrum policy in India
frequencies are being used for different types ofIn India GSM technology works in the frequency
services like space communication, mobilebands of 900 and 1800 MHz and CDMA
communication, broadcasting, radio navigation,technology works in the 800 MHz band. Presently,
mobile satellite service, aeronautical satellite100 MHz spectrum is ear marked for GSM
services, defence communication etc.  Radioservices and 20 MHz is earmarked for CDMA. 
frequency is a natural resource but unlike otherOut of this 65 MHz of GSM band is still with
resources it will deplete when used. But it will beDefence forces. The minimum amount of
wasted if not used efficiently.  The spectrumspectrum required for launching GSM services
allocated to Indian telecom operator is mostis 4.4 MHz.  
crowded and inadequate to accommodate theIn 2002, the government introduced a subscriber
usage by 650 million mobile subscribers as onlinked spectrum allocation process, which provided
date.  This has affected the quality of customerfor a maximum allotment of 12.5 MHz of
service and resulted in poor voice quality, call dropspectrum per operator in each service area. The
and undelivered messages of mobile services ininitial allotment of spectrum along with the licence
India.was 4.4 MHz for GSM and 2.5 MHz for CDMA.
2.     Agencies allocating spectrumThis could be further scaled up to 6.2 MHz for
Spectrum allocation is important and necessary toGSM and 5 MHz for CDMA operators depending
ensure interference free operation for each radioon availability and the operator's ability to justify
service. All nations share the electromagneticthe need for it. For additional spectrum they had
spectrum and reserve their right to its unlimitedto meet the subscriber linked criterion laid down
use. However, to facilitate internationalby DoT.
telecommunications cooperation to support trade,However due to the deluge of over 570 UAS
transportation, communications, and mutuallicence applications, in Dec 2007, DoT delinked
protection against interference, all countries havespectrum from the telecom licence and
agreed to an International Telecommunicationsimplemented a policy of first come first served
Convention. The International Telecommunicationbasis for spectrum allocation. It depended entirely
Union (ITU) at the World Radio Communicationon submission of licence fees to DoT's WPC wing
Conferences allocates spectrum frequencies forfor a spectrum licence. In 2008 DoT revised the
the use of various countries. Since the mobilecriteria for additional spectrum allocation. According
communication technologies provide internationalto this, the subscriber base required for additional
roaming facilities, it is essential to allocatespectrum allocation was hiked two to six times
spectrum in the common bands which are beingfor different circles.
used the world over. Secondly the mobile5.  Defence Band
handsets which are manufactured are aligned toIn India significant quantum of radio frequencies
the GSM 900/1800 bands. If radio frequencies arerequired for telecommunication is used by the
allotted in any other bands then the handsets willdefence forces. The telecom and defence
not be compatible to those bands.ministries are in discussion for transferring the
The Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC)radio frequencies for telecommunication. Last year
Wing of the Ministry of Communications, createdthe telecom ministry signed a MOU with defence
in 1952, is the National Radio Regulatory Authorityministry as per which Defence ministry will
responsible for Frequency Spectrum Management,surrender 45 MHZ of spectrum to telecom
including licensing and caters for the needs of allministry. Out of this, 25 MHZ is identified for 3G
wireless users in the country. It issues licenses toservices. In order to compensate the loss of
operate wireless stations. WPC is divided intospectrum, the telecom ministry agreed to provide
major sections like Licensing and Regulation (LR),fibre cable network for armed forces across the
New Technology Group (NTG) and Standingcountry at a cost of Rs 10000 cr (US $ 2.2 
Advisory Committee on Radio Frequencybillion). The telecom ministry also agreed for a
Allocation (SACFA). SACFA makes thewaiver of Rs 938 cr (US $ 208 million) to the
recommendations on major frequency allocationdefence ministry and agreed to allocate 30% of
issues, formulation of the frequency allocationthe all frequencies in the non communication
plan, making recommendations on the variousbands. 
issues related to International Telecom Union6.     3G and BWA spectrum allocation
(ITU), to sort out problems referred to theOver the years the government has been taking
committee by various wireless users.steps to frame policies to ensure efficient
3.      India's National Frequency Allocation planutilization of spectrum, which is a scarce resource.
The National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP)However efforts of DOT and TRAI have resulted
forms the basis for development andin controversies. Therefore the Government
manufacturing of wireless equipment anddecided to go ahead with the auctioning of 3G
spectrum utilization in the country. Frequencyand BWA spectrum with a open and transparent
bands allocated to various types of radio servicesformat which resulted in the Government earning
in India are as follows.i)      0-87.5 MHz is usedRs 67719 cr (US $ 15.05 billion) for 3G spectrum
for marine and aeronautical navigation, short andand Rs 38543 cr (US $ 8.6 billion) for BWA
medium wave radio, amateur (ham) radio andspectrum. Spectrum required for the launch of 3G
cordless phones.ii)     87.5-108 MHz is used forand BWA services is yet to be vacated by the
FM radio broadcastsiii)   109- 173 Used fordefence department and is expected to be
Satellite communication, aeronautical navigation andavailable by September 2010,   TRAI has now
outdoor broadcast vansiv)  174-230 MHz notrecommended that the excess 2G spectrum with
allocated.v)   230—450 Used for Satellitethe operators also need to be valued at the 3G
communication, aeronautical navigation andprices and recovered from the existing operators,
outdoor broadcast vansvi)  450- 585. Notwhich is strongly opposed by the GSM operators.
allocated.vii)  585-698 Used for TV7.       Conclusion
broadcastviii)    698-806 not allocated.ix)    The operators need additional spectrum to
806-960 Used by GSM and CDMA mobileimprove the quality of services. The Government
servicesx)   960-1710 Aeronautical and spaceshould formulate a spectrum policy which will
communicationxi)  1710- 1930 Used for GSMpromote efficient use of spectrum by developing
mobile servicesxii) 1930-2010 – Used bymarket incentives and differential pricing of
defence forcesxiii)  2010-2025 – Notspectrum in congested areas. An open and
allocatedxiv)  2025-2110 – Satellite and spacetransparent auction format will ensure that the
communicationsxv)  2110-2170 – Notgovernment realizes the best price for spectrum
allocatedxvi) 2170-2300 – Satellite and spaceas per the market forces and at the same time
communicationsxvii)  2300-2400 notthe telecom operators minimize and efficiently use
allocated.xviii)   2400- 2483.5 Used for Wi-Fi andthe spectrum.