Expect Cabinet approval on spectrum sharing by month-end: Secy

The Cabinet is likely to approve by month end the long-awaited guidelines on spectrum trading and sharing, that will pave way for merger and acquisitions in the telecom sector, a senior government official said today.
Speaking at a FICCI event here, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg said the spectrum sharing and trading guidelines have almost been finalised at the department level and Cabinet note has been circulated.
"Spectrum sharing/trading guidelines have been almost finalised at department level and Cabinet note has been circulated. We expect guidelines to be approved by Cabinet by end of the month," he said.
Garg added that this will consolidate spectrum and help both telecom operators and subscribers.

Spectrum sharing guidelines will allow telecom companies to share their un-utilised airwaves with other service providers in the same telecom circle.
Department of Telecom had, in April, sought clarifications from sectoral regulator TRAI regarding spectrum-sharing and trading guidelines.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had reiterated its stand on most of the recommendations on spectrum-sharing and trading guidelines, while clarifying that radiowaves acquired through trading can also be shared. It also stood by recommendations of allowing operators to share all spectrum including 3G.
The regulator also recommended allowing the trading of spectrum. As of now, only government is allowed to allocate spectrum to telecom firms through auctions.

Once trading is allowed, it is expected to increase efficient use of radiowaves by enabling telecom operators, who have a lower subscriber base or un-utilised spectrum, to trade in it.