DoT may have to accept GoM on spectrum

After initially resisting it, the department of telecom may finally have to accept the idea of a group of ministers to resolve the contentious spectrum issue, after the Planning Commission and the Prime Minister's Office intervened in the matter.

Sources said there was likelihood of setting up of a GoM on spectrum. "It is possible, but it is the prerogative of the PMO to decide about it.... Whatever they decide.... The minister (Dayanidhi Maran) is already seized of the matter. There is nothing more to discuss," they said.

The sources also said the Planning Commission in its mid-term appraisal, too, had mentioned about a GoM to sort out this vexatious issue.

The commission had already sought from DoT, terms of reference for a GoM, which the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India also thought necessary to sort out thorny issues on spectrum, as it was beyond DoT's reach to negotiate with the defence ministry to vacate spectrum.

The "in-principle clearance" by the PMO for setting up the GoM follows the formation of another group on spectrum that includes the DoT and defence ministry officials.

DoT officials and Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran had shot down the idea of a GoM on spectrum earlier.

The existing group of DoT and defence officials is scheduled to submit a report on its progress by January 20.

At present, a large chunk of spectrum in the 1,900 Mhz band is lying with the defence forces as they use old equipment. Most of it is not used properly. Mobile operators want this band to be vacated by the defence and allocated to them.

A parliamentary standing committee also had pulled up DoT earlier for the slow progress in resolving spectrum issues, and for not compensating defence for vacating spectrum for telecom use.

Spectrum, a radio frequency wave, has got strategic users like telecom, defence and space and is a scarce resource.