New spectrum policy on cards

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has initiated the process of formulating the new policy that should make efficient the backbone of air signals: spectrum. HT Correspondent reports.

If taken in the right direction, consumer woes on mobile calls should end. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated the process of formulating the new policy that should make efficient the backbone of air signals: spectrum.

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The new policy will address issues such as allowing spectrum sharing, spectrum trading, a uniform licence fee for all services, spectrum assignment process and its pricing, a consultation paper released today said.

“Consultation process would be complete By November 19,” said TRAI chairman JS Sarma.

The present spectrum policy and licensing guidelines were formulated in 1999. However, the telecom scenario has undergone a sea change in last 10 years.

Under the existing licensing regime, an operator has to pay a one-time licence fee for operating telecom services. TRAI is now proposing to delink spectrum from the licence, and operators may have to bid for spectrum separately.

“Change is required in the existing licensing and spectrum regime,” TV Ramachandran, director general of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) told Hindustan Times. “I hope the change will be good for the industry.”