The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has written to the Defence Ministry for releasing 15 MHz of spectrum in the 2100MHz band held by the Defence sector to put it up for upcoming auctions, reports Economic Times. The DoT has proposed to surrender its 15MHz of spectrum in the 1900MHz band for acquiring the 2100MHz band held by the Defence Ministry. The request from DoT comes as a part of the spectrum harmonization process across all 3G and LTE bands. It is looking to put up 200MHz of spectrum, freed from Defence under the harmonization process, before the upcoming spectrum auctions. Last year, the Union cabinet had given its nod for spectrum swapping between Defence and Telecom authorities, prior to 2015 spectrum auctions. In January, the TRAI said that an additional 201 MHz of spectrum (in 1800 MHz band) could be attained for commercial purpose if the defence ministry shifts to the designated defence band, and its assignment is restricted to 20 MHz maximum. Earlier in 2014, defence ministry had released 4 blocks of 5 MHz each in the 2100 MHz band out of the 5 blocks of 5 MHz allotted to DoT under an MoU with Defence, prior to 2015 spectrum auctions. DoT against relaxed payments for telcos: A DoT official told ET that it is likely to support the alternative payment structure for upcoming auctions, which the TRAI had proposed in a recommendation paper last week. TRAI proposed that telcos could first pay 10% of the bid amount; the…
