Question : COMPLAINT AGAINST DISTRIBUTION OF SPECTRUM

(a) whether Vigilance Commission has Lodged complaint against the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for distributing spectrum without following any guidelines;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether DoT has provided 6.2 MHz spectrum against the limit of 4.4 MHz spectrum by violating the Mobile Phone Service Provider Licence Policy;

(d) if so, whether any additional fee has been charged from Mobile Phone Service Provider Companies in lieu of the increased spectrum;

(e) if not, the basis on which the licence policy has been violated;

(f) the details of the present spectrum policy;

(g) whether DoT has submitted any written reply to Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) and the CVC is satisfied with the reply of DoT; and

(h) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a) to (h) The initial spectrum is being allotted to the mobile telecom services in accordance with the relevant provisions of Unified Access Service License (UASL), subject to availability of spectrum. With growth of service and increased subscriber base, additional spectrum is allotted subject to availability as per eligibility criteria which is based on the no. of active subscribers, peak traffic of the operator’s network, demographic features of the service area. These criteria are reviewed from time to time taking into account relevant factors and technological developments. Orders regarding latest eligibility criteria for allotment of additional spectrum have been issued on 17th January 2008. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had raised some queries on spectrum related issues and necessary information was provided to the CVC.

The service providers pay spectrum charges as a percentage/share of their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), which increases with larger amount of spectrum with a service provider,as per orders in this regard.