(a) whether the FM radio industry of the country has demanded to release spectrum;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Union Government thereto;
(c) whether the release of all the spectrum through auction would fetch more money to the Government; and
(d) if so, the details of spectrum availability with the Union Government and the reasons for not releasing the same
at one go?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)
(a) & (b) A section of the private Radio FM industry has sought increase in the number of FM Radio channels, particularly
in the Metros, by reducing the channel separation between two adjoining FM channels, from the present 800 KHz to 400KHz.
There are other sections of the FM industry who have opposed this proposal also. However, Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India (TRAI)’s recommendations for reducing inter channels spacing to 400KHz for FM Radio channels has been received and
is being submitted before the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM) for a decision.
(c) & (d) The licences to private FM Radio channels are to be auctioned as part of Government of India’s FM Phase-III
policy ( for 839 channels in 294 Cities).The FM Phase-III policy envisages auction of these channels in batches and the
details of the FM Phase –III Policy are available on the Website www.mib.nic.in