Spectrum release key to mobile telecom quality: GSM Expert (IANS Interview)

As India gears itself for the auction of more spectrum or radio frequency for mobile telecom operators next year, a clear roadmap on its future availability holds the key for both quality of service and investor confidence, a global expert has said.

"Spectrum holds the key to what the people want in terms of mobile service. A clear roadmap on its release is essential for future confidence," said Jack Rowley, senior director for research and sustainability, GSM Association, that counts 800 operators in 220 countries as members.

"It would be advantageous for players in their long-term planning to know what is the government roadmap in releasing spectrum, particularly the availability of spectrum around the bands for more 3G services and lower frequencies for rural area coverage" Rowley told IANS in an interview.

According to Rowley, who has spent more than 25 years in the telecom industry having worked with organisations such as Telstra in the past, mobile telecom was the global medium to connect people among themselves as also to services. This was true for India as well.

But unlike say some European countries the spectrum available in India is poor. In Indian circles, which is co-terminus to a state, there could be as many as 10 operators, but the spectrum they hold is half that of a player in Europe, he said.

Globally, there are some seven billion mobile phone subscribers, including single, multiple and bulk connections, of which 935 million, or around 13.5 percent, are in India

Rowley also said for rural areas spectrum with lower frequencies would allow more efficient and more economical coverage of the countryside, adding the government must think on how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's smart city project will be executed.

"The new Indian prime minister talks about smart city initiative. Here, mobile will be critical for the connectivity both in cities and rural areas. The big request from industry has been spectrum in a way that is timely, encourages development and provides benefits to the public," he said.

"It is not simply about revenue raising," he said.

"What is important is: The government must realise that mobile telecom is a critical enabler and therefore it must prioritise policies that will allow mobile telephony to continue to develop. In India, that means release of more spectrum," Rowley said.

Rowley, who also oversees the association's health programme, said for the success of Modi's "Digital India" and "Smart City" projects, one needed more spectrum and sensible policies on mobile towers for a better infrastructure to support the extension of mobile-enabled services.

"Digital India is more than just corporate social responsibility. The government must create the right environment for efficient, economically-effective deployment of mobile infrastructure and services. The ball is in the government's court to create this right environment," he said.

"There are significant challenges. The issue regarding mobile towers is a big challenge."

(Aparajita Gupta can be reached at aparajita.g@ians.in)