The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has established a panel to frame an Act on spectrum pricing and allocation to ensure efficient use of radio waves.
DoT is currently in the process of finalising the New Telecom Policy, 2011 and aims at formulating rules on efficient allocation and use of spectrum. It is believed that the committee is headed by retired Judge Shivraj Patil.
According to an internal DoT note, “The Act is aimed at ensuring the efficient allocation and use of the spectrum, enhancing overall public benefit from using spectrum, make adequate provision of spectrum for use by the public or community services.?
The Act was framed amid a shortage of spectrum for the telecom sector and under-utilisation of the resource by various operators. The note added that the basic idea of framing the Act was to provide a responsive and flexible approach to meeting the needs of spectrum users and to encourage the use of efficient radio technologies, in order to provide a wider range of services to consumers.
The note also aims at “establishing an equitable and transparent system of charging for spectrum usage, taking into account the value of both commercial and non-commercial uses of the resource”. It also emphasises the need for establishing a regulatory environment that maximises opportunities for the communications industry to promote India’s interests in international agreements and treaties.
