Question : ALLOCATION OF SPECTRUM

(a) whether the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecom are demanding that all GSM operators be made to pay for additional spectrum allocated to them beyond 6.25 MHz. prescribed in the licence;

(b) if so, whether the technology that is currently used for all mobile services in the country is 2G;

(c) if so, whether DoT has constituted an Internal Committee to take a re-look at 2G- spectrum allocation procedure;

(d) if so, whether currently 2G spectrum is given to operators for free, but linked to their meeting the prescribed subscriber norms;

(e) if so, whether the 2G allocations to all operators is likely to be suspended until the Committee comes out with its report; and

(f) if so, the time by which the panel is likely to submit its recommendations?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a) to (f) GSM operators have been licensed to provide mobile services in the country using 2G technology and are given initial spectrum for launching the service. With the growth of service, additional spectrum is allotted to the operators based on the subscriber criteria, and they are required to pay increased revenue share for additional spectrum. A committee has been set up to recommend the revision of subscriber based spectrum allocation criteria for allotment of 2G spectrum. However, the subscriber based criteria is sub-judice in Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).