The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has reportedly approved the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India?s (TRAI) request that it be permitted to conduct periodic audits of how much spectrum each operator and various government agencies hold.
In an internal note, the DoT panel examining TRAI?s recommendations said, “TRAI may undertake regular spectrum audits for efficient management of available spectrum. However, such spectrum audits shall exclude spectrum used by defence and security forces.?
Currently, all spectrum-related issues are dealt with by DoT?s Wireless Planning Coordination and Licensing wing.
The spectrum audit aims to identify the frequencies used by operators and government agencies; determine the efficiency of usage? list possible alternate solutions and frame a schedule for the release of this spectrum for mobile telephony.
Besides, TRAI had also said that 2G spectrum, largely used for vanilla voice services, should be restricted to 8 MHz in cities and 10 MHz in metros, and the audit will help strengthen the regulator’s stance that efficient services can be provided within these spectrum caps.
Before beginning the audit, TRAI will first initiate a consultation process on the issue.
