Telecom panel to decide on spectrum charges tomorrow

The Department of Telecom (DoT) is likely to finalise tomorrow the revised spectrum charges ranging between 3-8 per cent for telecom operators and also deliberate upon the number of operators to be allowed in next generation, 3G, telephony.

The Telecom Commission is meeting tomorrow to discuss a proposal suggesting increasing the minimum annual spectrum charges to three per cent of gross revenue for 4.4 MHz spectrum from existing two per cent.

According to the agenda for the meeting, the Commission would also take a final decision on how many players would be allowed to bid for 3G spectrum depending upon the spectrum availability in each circle.

There were different views over the number of slots of 3G spectrum to be auctioned in the first round. The availability of spectrum in 2.1 GHz band (for 3G mobile services) varies from one telecom service area to another, sources in the DoT said, adding that in certain circles, there is no spectrum available, while in other different amounts are available.

Discussions are also going on with the defence authorities regarding the demand for spectrum and its vacation and coordination issues.

The issue of defence is not likely to be resolved before the proposed date of 3G auctions in January 2009, sources said, adding that in such a case it would not be prudent to auction all the available spectrum right away. "If additional spectrum remains available for mobile telephony services it can be subsequently allocated on terms to be decided in consultation with the telecom regulator Trai," sources added.