Panel to check clarifications by Trai on refarming

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) wants a committee headed by the member (telecom) to examine a few clarifications by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Today, Trai was scheduled to give these clarifications on its recommendations on refarming the 900-MHz spectrum band.

DoT had, in response to a request by the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on telecom, asked Trai for the clarifications.

The idea is for DoT, the Telecom Commission (TC) and the EGoM to decide after getting the committee’s report, with the panel to be allowed to seek expert views and examine all representations from stakeholders.

• Telecom Commission may clear the proposal for the panel tomorrow, called to discuss the regulator’s suggestions
• The EGoM has sought detailed analysis on the issue at the earliest, to enable it to decide by November 5
• In its previous meeting on October 18, the EGoM had deferred a decision on refarming the 900-MHz spectrum

 

The TC is expected to clear the proposal for the committee at its meeting tomorrow, called to discuss Trai’s recommendations.

The meeting is to also discuss the recommendations on prescribed limits for spectrum, retention of spectrum on renewal of licences and telecom security policy, among others.

In its previous meeting on October 18, the EGoM had deferred a decision on refarming the 900-MHz spectrum. However, it needs to decide before the November 12 auction, a date set by the Supreme Court.

The EGoM has sought detailed analysis on the issue at the earliest, to enable it to decide by November 5.

DoT has asked Trai to clarify on its recommendations at various times on spectrum refarming. The prime issues include feasibility and desirability, the logistics, prescribed limit for spectrum and its amount, relevance and applicability after introduction of a market-driven pricing policy, relevance of the limit of spectrum retention on payment of the current price at the time of renewal of licences and quantity of spectrum to be auctioned under 1,800-MHz band. The Union Cabinet has allowed refarming as part of the new telecom policy.