Telecom Commission returns spectrum sharing and trading guidelines to Trai

Spectrum sharing will allow telcos to share their unutilised spectrum with other service providers in same telecom circle

The Telecom Commission, highest policy making body of the department of telecommunications (DoT), has decided to refer back the recommendations on spectrum sharing and trading to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).

“There is a need for further clarifications on certain issues and it was decided to send back the recommendations,” according to sources.

Trai has to send back its final suggestions to DoT within 15 days, after which the Commission will again consider it.

Communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had recently said spectrum sharing and trading guidelines would be announced soon.

Spectrum sharing will allow telecom companies to share their unutilised spectrum with other service providers in the same circle. Last year, the regulator had recommended sharing of all categories of telecom airwaves held by operators, including spectrum allocated at the earlier price of Rs 1,658 crore or assigned without auction. The regulator had also recommended trading of spectrum. At present, the government allocates spectrum to telecom firms only through auction.