Question : NFA Plan and Spectrum Allocation

(a) whether the Natural Frequency Allocation (NFA) plan of 2011 is under review;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the changes likely to be made in the plan;

(c) whether the Government has made available enough spectrums to upgrade the telecom network and has asked the operators to undertake a special drive for radio frequency optimization of their respective networks;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the telecom operators thereto;

(e) whether high frequency bandwidth is critical for telecom network planning and India''s ambitions internet driven programmes for e-governance and the telecom industry hopes for four new spectrum bands in next ten years; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the new spectrum auction proposed by the Government along with the unsold spectrum of the last spectrum auction?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) & (b) The National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) of 2011 is under review. Based on the revised International Table of Frequency Allocations and associated radio regulatory provisions, the NFAP is revised from time to time, which contains the revised international regulations, the national requirements and priorities in utilisation of different frequency bands including channelling plans, etc.
(c) & (d) Department has sent a letter to all access service providers on the issue of call drop in mobile telephone networks. They have been directed to undertake a special drive for Radio Frequency Optimisation, analyse the reasons for call drops and take appropriate steps namely installation of more sites, adopting in-building solutions, augmenting existing RF resources etc. as the case may be.
(e) The identification of frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) services is undertaken by the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC) of the International Telecom Union (ITU) based on the proposals from various member countries. A joint representation from some of the telecom service providers and Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) has been received requesting for support of the Government for identification of four new mobile spectrum bands namely 470-694 MHz, 1350-1400 MHz & 1427-1518 MHz, 2700-2900 MHz and 3400-4200 MHz at WRC of the ITU scheduled in November 2015. Various potential candidate bands, including above four bands are under consideration for IMT services by forthcoming WRC. The identified frequency bands at WRC for IMT services are made available for telecom services in India after harmonization with existing users.
(f) Available access spectrum for telecom services in different frequency bands is being put for auction from time to time. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has been requested to provide recommendations on applicable reserve price and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in different frequency bands for all the service areas. Auction of spectrum in 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz bands was conducted during March, 2015. The total quantum of 470.75 MHz spectrum in these bands was put for auction in March, 2015. Out of 470.75 MHz spectrum put for auction, 418.05 MHz was sold and remaining 52.70 MHz spectrum was unsold. As of now, no date has been fixed up for auction.


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