DoT may decide on spectrum pricing before Dec

The government is expected to take a final decision on the contentious issue of spectrum pricing before the announcement of the National Telecom Policy, 2011 in December, which will make telecom operators shell out money for the radio waves held by them beyond prescribed limit.

"Spectrum pricing issue is being dealt separately with the policy. Once we receive response of Trai...  Which we expect in 15 days i.E., before the end of month, we will take it to Telecom Commission and at competent level for the final decision," Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar told PTI.

He said that the decision on spectrum pricing can take place before the announcement of National Telecom Policy (NTP) which is expected by the end of December.

Telecom Ministry had on October 10 unveiled draft of NTP and final version of this policy is expected by end of December.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has made recommendations on extra spectrum held by operators and DoT has sought clarification from the regulator.

DoT has found variations in the points made by Trai during course of its communication. One of the clarifications sought by DoT is whether operators should be charged retrospectively or from the current date for the additional spectrum held by some of the service providers.

DoT has also sought clarification from Trai on the rationale for defining prescribed limit for spectrum allocation.

"...Trai may indicate the rationale for defining the prescribed limit of spectrum," DoT said in its recent letter to Trai.