Spectrum sharing, leasing should be allowed for better efficiency: Trai

For more efficient utilisation of the scarce spectrum, Trai has recommended that spectrum leasing and inter-band spectrum sharing also be permitted

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Wednesday recommended inter-band spectrum sharing and spectrum leasing should be allowed to better utilise spectrum resources in the country.

It also called for the sharing of active and passive telecom infrastructure by telecom service providers.
 

In its latest recommendations, Trai said inter-band access spectrum sharing between access service providers may be implemented either by way of pooling of access spectrum held by the participating access providers in different frequency bands through common radio access networks. 
 

It can also take place by allowing the partnering access service providers to use each other’s radio access networks operating in the shared frequency bands in the local service area, Trai said.
 

At present only spectrum trading and intra-band spectrum sharing are permitted in the country. For a more efficient utilisation of the scarce spectrum, the telecom regulator has recommended that spectrum leasing and inter-band spectrum sharing should also be permitted.
 

Implementation of these recommendations will enable telecom service providers to give better quality of service and wider coverage of telecommunication services, it said. 
 

The regulator also suggested to explore the possibility of implementing authorised shared access technique-based spectrum sharing. 

Infrastructure Sharing

The TRAI also called for telecom service licensees to be allowed to share the passive infrastructure such as building, tower, electrical equipment and dark fiber, and all active infrastructure elements should be with all types of telecommunications service licensees.

The regulator believes this will help telecom service providers achieve greater cost efficiencies and improved time to market.

It said projects under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) should include a provision in the agreement with the Universal Service Provider (USP) in this regard. 
 

"The USP shall not refuse to share the passive infrastructure laid under the project to at least two other telecom service providers on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis," Trai stated.

This is aimed at extending the benefits of telecom coverage in underserved areas to more than one telecom service provider through effective utilisation of government-funded infrastructure.