The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has put the second round of spectrum auctions on the fast track.
It is believed that Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) has identified the 700 MHz spectrum band as the platform for offering 4G services.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had said that it planned to use this band. However, it has reportedly agreed to vacate the same.
Meanwhile, there still remain a few issues related to the 1,700 Mhz to 2,000 Mhz band, for which the EGoM plan to hold another meeting next week. This band is currently being used by the Defence forces.
The EGoM?s decision has, by and large, met with a positive response from the industry. For example, Abhishek Chauhan, senior consultant, ICT Practice, Frost & Sullivan, South Asia & Middle East said, ?The allocation of 700 MHz would invite the incumbent players who did not apply for the 2.3 GHz to offer high quality 4G data services to the end consumers. This band would help in improving the QoS for 3G services as well. On time, transparent and smooth allocation from the government would ensure timely roll outs and enable development of affordable and sustainable ecosystem for the data services in the country.?
