KOLKATA: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will soon start consolidating airwaves in the 1800 MHz band in seven circles, including Delhi and Kolkata, as part of a nationwide effort to create contiguous or continuous blocks of spectrum that can be used to provide faster 4G broadband services, two people aware of the matter told ET.
The process, known as harmonisation, will take place in phases across the country, starting in the seven circles, which include UP-East, UP-West, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Northeast. Airwaves in the 1800 MHz band are the most popular globally for 4G-LTE services, although non-contiguous spectrum in this band is not suitable.
As much as 75 MHz of airwaves in 1800 MHz band is distributed between telecom operators (55 MHz) and the defence ministry (20 MHz) across India, based on a pact inked more than four years ago. Operators and the ministry occupy frequencies in each other’s designated zones.
In the first phase, the government is keen to conclude the re-arrangement of 4G airwaves in the seven circles before the next spectrum auction, likely in early 2016. Thereafter, DoT is slated to progressively start harmonising 4G airwaves in the 1800 MHz band in Assam, Maharashtra, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Mumbai.
“DoT is expected to issue a notification shortly to start the harmonisation of airwaves in the 1800 MHz in four to five stages,” said one person. The phased harmonisation was discussed at an internal DoT meeting recently, which was attended by all mobile operators and representatives of the defence ministry.
The reorganisation of airwaves in the 1800 MHz band into contiguous blocks of 4G spectrum will boost its valuation, and accordingly, its reserve price, in the next auction. “Such reorganisation is also slated to generate an additional 10 MHz of contiguous 4G spectrum in India’s top telecom markets,” the other person said.
The 1800 MHz band was originally the ideal 2G GSM band, behind the premium 900 MHz. Since they are also suitable for 4G mobile broadband services, in light of a rapidly maturing devices ecosystem, the demand for these airwaves runs high.
Source: ETTelecom