COAI asks DoT to retain block size at 20 Mhz

Cellular operators say block size of 10 MHz would reduce throughput and coverage by around 20%

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has asked Department of Telecommunications (DoT), to retain the block size for spectrum in 2,300 MHz and 2,500 MHz bands at 20 MHz instead of 10 MHz as suggested by telecom regulator Trai.

“We believe that there should be no change in the block size of 2,300/2,500 MHz bands, and it should be retained at 20 Mhz (unpaired) as the block size of 20 MHz leads to more efficient utilisation of the spectrum,” Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI, said in a letter to DoT Secretary J S Deepak.

Mathews said the block size of 10 MHz would reduce the throughput and coverage by around 20% compared to a block size of 20 MHz.

"We strongly believe that the proposed reduction in block size from 20 MHz to 10 MHz will not only help the operators already holding 20 MHz of in this band, to acquire additional 10 Mhz without being restricted by band wise spectrum cap of 50%,” he said.

According to telecom regulator Trai's recommendations announced last month on 'Valuation and reserve price of spectrum in all bands (including 700, 800, 900, 1,800, 2,100, 2,300 and 2,500)', block size of 10 MHz has been recommended for spectrum in 2,300 MHz and 2,500 MHz bands.

Telcos have already expressed concern over the reserve price for 700 MHz spectrum band at  at Rs 11,485 crore per megahertz pan India.