DoT, MoD settle spectrum allocation for defence services

New Delhi: In an attempt to resolve the difficult issue of allotting a specific frequency band to the defence services exclusively for their use, the department of telecommunications (DoT) and the ministry of defence (MoD) have now arrived at an understanding. A specific frequency band has been agreed upon, which will now be allotted to the defence services exclusively for their communications.

The agreement will now allow the defence services to vacate spectrum they have been holding in various bands. This will allow scarce radio waves to be made available for civil communication purposes.

''We have already identified a 'defence band' for defence communications purpose. Till now there was no clarity on the issue, but soon a government notification will be issued that will pave the way for exclusive frequency band for our defence paraphernalia. This will also help in speedy vacation of radio waves, being held by various forces, for civilian use,'' telecom secretary R Chandrashekhar informed media sources.

Reports quote Chandrashekhar as saying that various technical and procedural issues relating to the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) rolling out a secure communication network for defence forces had also been settled.

He also clarified that a revised proposal, incorporating the understandings arrived at, would soon be cleared by the Telecom Commission, the DoT's highest decision-making body, and placed before the Union Cabinet for clearance.

''In the next two months, the revised project is likely to get all clearances…its execution would begin in next six months. As the project progresses, a timetable would be prepared for vacation of spectrum by the defence forces for civilian use,'' the secretary said.