The Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications has laid out new guidelines (pdf) for liberalization of spectrum in 800MHz and 1800MHz frequency bands. The guidelines pertain to spectrum held since 2012 and will allow the telecom operators to provide any technology over the spectrum instead of 2G services. Ideally, telcos should offer 4G services over it. TSPs with 2G spectrum: Most TSPs (Telecom Service Providers) own spectrum in the 1800MHz frequency bands, acquired during the 2G auctions last year. This includes Airtel, Idea, Jio, Uninor, RCOM, Aircel and Vodafone. On the other hand, Sistema Shyam, which operates its telecom services in India as MTS India, was the only applicant in the 800 MHz band during the auctions held in March 2013. Earlier this month, MTS merged with RCOM. Interestingly, this Business Standard report mentions that RCom has already applied to the DoT for liberalizing its 800MHz spectrum. Guidelines include: - Existing spectrum holders can liberalize their entire spectrum, allotted prior to auction of right to use spectrum in Nov 2012, in 800MHz and 1800MHz bands for the rest of the validity period. - Liberalization of spectrum will be considered only after a written request for the same, accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 50,000/- per service area. - After payment of the price prorated for the rest of the validity period, the spectrum will be required to be liberalized. This amount will be deducted from the total amount paid by the TSP for…
