Cabinet nod to swapping spectrum between telecom, defence

Govt also earmarked an area of 50 km around the border areas as the Defence interest zone

The Cabinet today gave an approval for swapping arrangement of spectrum between telecom and defence ministries, which will vacate 15 MHz of spectrum in 2100 Mhz in the next one year.

However, this 15 MHz would not be included in the upcoming auction scheduled for February 25, where government has decided to auction only 5 Mhz in 2100 band.

Telecom players have been asking the government to auction 5+15 MHz in the 2100 MHz band in February.

Also, an eight-year battle between department of telecommunications and ministry of defence on the exclusive band for defence forces was resolved in the Cabinet today with the notification of defence band and defence interest zone.

 

The harmonisation of spectrum bands in 1700-2000MHz frequency between the telecom and defence ministries will also be done in a year.

Minister of Communications and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad said the 49 slots have been earmarked for use of Defence in 3MHz-40GHz band. Out of this 9 slots will be specifically for Defence exclusive use, while 31 slots will be used by Defence along with other agencies such as space, broadcasting, aviation and others. While, the remaining 9 slots will be worked out later for use.

An area of 50 km around the border areas have been earmarked as the Defence interest zone.