Govt set to allow telecom companies to share 2G spectrum, but with riders

19 Dec 2013 Evaluate

In a move which would ease the pressure on operators struggling with congested networks and possibly reducing the bidding amounts in the upcoming auctions, the government is set to allow telecom companies to share 2G spectrum with each other as long as their combined holding is not more than 50% of the total airwaves allotted in that region.

Although, the government may allow the operators to share the spectrum between two telcos holding 2G spectrum in the same service area, but will not allow the same between operators holding airwaves in two separate circles. Besides, bandwidth sharing will also not be allowed between operators holding 3G airwaves.

As per the draft note prepared by the department of telecommunications on spectrum sharing, two telephone operators can share 2G telecom spectrum without a one-time usage charge, if they have already paid for more than 4.4 MHz of GSM spectrum, or 2.5 MHz of CDMA spectrum. The sharing would be possible without any alterations in terms and conditions of licence of use of spectrum, including the carrier size indicated therein.

Further, telecom service providers, together, would have to pay spectrum usage charge at slab rates applicable on the combined spectrum holding according to the draft rules being prepared by the DoT. Moreover, while the permission to share will be granted after the payment for the spectrum holding is done based on its reserve or auction price, separate permission will be required to be granted from the DoT. Lastly, the government is expected to finalise spectrum-sharing rules, prior to the start of auctions on January 23.

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