Telcos to be allowed to use spectrum to raise funds

The department of telecommunications and the department of economic affairs are considering the possibilities of adding spectrum in the harmonised list of infrastructure, to allow telecom companies to raise funds using spectrum as a tangible asset.

Spectrum qualifies for the infrastructure criteria, says a recent discussion note. "Therefore, it may be added in the harmonised master list of infrastructure."

The development comes in the wake of repeated requests from telecom operators who have acquired spectrum from auctions in the past.

The government had earlier said that spectrum being government property, it cannot be used as an asset for raising funds. The Cabinet Committee had in May 2012 approved the harmonised master list of infrastructure in order to facilitate a coordinated approach among agencies providing support to infrastructure.