COAI asks DoT to allocate 800MHz spectrum as EGSM band

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has asked the department of telecom (DoT) to allocate 800 MHz band of spectrum as the extended GSM (E-GSM) band, as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has suggested, considering the fact that the demand for 900 MHz is admittedly much higher than 800 MHz.

“The demand for 900 MHz is admittedly much higher than 800 MHz and CDMA operators also aspire to acquire 900MHz. It will be a sensible decision, both technically and economically, to harmonise the vacant 800 MHz spectrum, refarm it to E-GSM band and auction it as 900 MHz band,” Rajan Mathews, COAI director-general, said in a letter to DoT secretary Rakesh Garg.

Mathews said the reconfiguration of the available 800MHz spectrum will not only increase the availability of spectrum in the 900MHz band but will also lead to more efficient use of spectrum. "It will also benefit the government through revenue generation and also help increase the broadband penetration in the country. There will be no impact on the existing CDMA operations as they can continue providing the services with the allocated spectrum," he noted.

In his letter, he also pointed out that the Government failed to get any bidders for 800MHz spectrum in the auction held in November 2012. Coai has made several representations to the government to reconfigure the existing 800MHz band and offer it as E-GSM as it will result in far more efficient utilisation of spectrum in the 800MHz band.

"We thus once again request the government to auction 800 MHz band for E-GSM. The 800 MHz band accounts for nearly half of the spectrum available for commercial use in the sub-1 GHz band. Putting this spectrum to the most optimal use should be a policy priority," added the COAI boss.