DoT to notify spectrum sharing rules in a week, trading rules later

Following its decision to allow telecom service providers to share and transfer spectrum among themselves, the Department of Telecom (DoT) said it will notify rules for spectrum sharing within a week.

Rules for spectrum trading, however, is expected to take more time as implementation of trading regulations will take some more time, DoT said.

The government on 12 August approved guidelines for spectrum sharing providing operators an alternative to acquiring more airwaves through auction.

Sharing of spectrum among service providers will help telecom operators decongest their networks and improve service quality.

Reports quoting DoT officials said the department, at its meeting on Monday, will assess the due processes for notification of spectrum trading guidelines.

The meeting will also set a tentative timeline for start of spectrum trading.

While spectrum sharing will have limited impact on service providers, trading in spectrum could greatly alter spectrum usage by telecom companies.

Telecom operators, meanwhile, have sought clarifications on spectrum trading, including valuation, spectrum cap and sharing of revenue on traded spectrum.

DoT has set up a committee to decide on spectrum cap, or the limit on airwaves an operator can hold for providing wireless service, which is currently is 50 per cent in a spectrum band identified fit for transmitting mobile signals and 25 per cent of the total such spectrum assigned in a telecom circle.

This cap, however, could deter spectrum trading, say telecom operators as big companies, which are potential buyers, will not be able to acquire more spectrum.