The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the industry body representing GSM operators has written to Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Telecommunications and IT, seeking allotment of 3G spectrum in the 2100 MHz band.
In a communication to the minister, COAI has suggested that in case the government is unable to swap 3G spectrum held by the armed forces, it should alternatively consider allowing 3G operators to partially share the spectrum in the 2100 MHz band with the armed forces. According to the association, partial allotment will enable mixed usage of 3G spectrum by reserving the bandwidth for defence forces in select few geographies and putting it to commercial use in other areas.
The association has claimed that at present, the usage of 3G spectrum by armed forces is restricted to a fraction of the total spectrum available to them. The 3G spectrum in the 2100 MHz is largely lying unused and COAI has also urged the minister to explore the possibility of swapping 15 units of 3G spectrum in the 2100 MHz band in lieu of 15 units of idle spectrum held by the Department of Telecommunications in the 1900 MHz band.
According to the association, it would free up three additional 5 MHz of slots in the 2100 MHz band for the commercial use, thereby generating additional revenue for the government without impacting the spectrum requirements of the armed forces. COAI is of the view that such partial allotment will help operators increase their 3G network capacity and offer users enhanced mobile broadband coverage at affordable prices.
