Telecom dept likely to strike down Railways' free spectrum demand

Trai had earlier recommended the auction route for the allocation of 700 MHz spectrum to the Railways

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is likely to strike down the Indian Railways’ demand for airwaves worth Rs 65,000 crore in the 700 megahertz (MHz) band. The DoT is against giving a premium spectrum to Railways for free as it would lose out on the revenue from the auction of those airwaves, said sources familiar with the development.

The Railways had asked for 10 MHz of spectrum in 700 MHz band for setting up public safety and security services. After the Railways sent the proposal to the DoT, it was taken to the Digital Communications Commission, which in turned directed the