TRAI stands by proposals on spectrum sharing/trading norms

Sectoral regulator TRAI has reiterated most of its recommendations on spectrum sharing and trading guidelines while clarifying that airwaves acquired through trading can also be shared.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) stood by recommendations of allowing operators to share all spectrum including 3G.
The Department of Telecom (DoT) had sought clarification regarding sharing of 3G spectrum as TRAI in 2010 had recommended that the airwaves cannot be shared but later the regulator changed its stance.
The regulator in its response said the basic objective of spectrum sharing is to provide an opportunity to telcos to pool their spectrum holdings and thereby improve spectral efficiency.

"Therefore, the Authority does not find any plausible reason to exclude spectrum in 2100 MHz band from the list of the spectrum bands that can be shared," it added.
The DoT had in April sought clarifications from TRAI regarding spectrum sharing and trading guidelines. The response of TRAI will now be placed before Telecom Commission, which will deliberate on the matter.

The DoT had also asked TRAI to clarify whether spectrum acquired through trading can also be shared.
Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg in April had said that the guidelines will be out by June.
TRAI also stood by its proposal of not allowing Internet service provider (ISPs) to share spectrum saying that sharing of spectrum is a new concept.

"Therefore, to begin with, spectrum sharing, may be allowed only for the access service providers (CMTS/UASL/UL (AS)/UL with authorisation of Access Service)," TRAI said.
The DoT had said that licensees having access spectrum as defined in UL will be permitted to share the spectrum in an LSA.
"Apart basic CMTS/UASL/UL (AS) licensees, ISPs may also be included as eligible," DoT said.
The DoT had also asked TRAI to explain logic for recommending processing fee of Rs 50,000 only on each telecom operator involved in spectrum sharing, on which the regulator said, "The processing fee is being imposed to cover the administrative charges. Therefore, the Authority has recommended a nominal amount of Rs 50,000 as processing fees.