EGoM on spectrum to meet soon: Sibal

The issue of spectrum re-farming which may lead to telecom operators like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular bearing high costs will be placed before the next meeting of empowered croup of ministers (EGoM).

The issue of spectrum re-farming which may lead to telecom operators like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular bearing high costs will be placed before the next meeting of empowered croup of ministers (EGoM).

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“The matter is going to EGoM. The EGoM is slated to meet very soon,” law and telecom minister Kapil Sibal told PTI.

The change in frequency for transmitting mobile signals could cost the telcos over Rs 100,000 crore cumulatively.

Telecom operators have opposed spectrum refarming as they will need to vacate 900 megahertz frequency band, in which cost of providing service is less, or pay high price for continuing services. Government has asked them to move to 2G frequency band of 1800 Mhz band to continue services after their licence terms is over.