New Telecom Policy 1999
March 30, 1999
New Delhi
5.0 Spectrum Management
With the proliferation of new technologies
and the growing demand for telecommunication services, the demand on spectrum has
increased manifold. It is, therefore, essential that spectrum be utilized efficiently,
economically, rationally and optimally. There is a need for a transparent process of
allocation of frequency spectrum for use by a service and making it available to various
users under specific conditions.
The National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) was last established in 1981, and has been
modified from time to time since. With the proliferation of new technologies it is
essential to revise the NFAP in its entirety so that it could become the basis for
development, manufacturing and spectrum utilization activities in the country amongst all
users. The NFAP is presently under review and the revised NFAP-2000 would be made public
by the end of 1999, detailing information regarding allocation of frequency bands for
various services, without including security information. NFAP shall be reviewed no later
than every two years and shall be in line with radio regulations of International
Telecommunication Union.
Relocation of existing Spectrum and Compensation:
- Considering the growing need of spectrum for communication
services, there is a need to make adequate spectrum available
- Appropriate frequency bands have historically been assigned
to defence & others and efforts would be made towards relocating them so as to have
optimal utilisation of spectrum. Compensation for relocation may be provided out of
spectrum fee and revenue share levied by Government.
- There is a need to review the spectrum allocations in a
planned manner so that required frequency bands are available to the service providers.
There is a need to have a transparent process of allocation of frequency spectrum which is
effective and efficient. This would be examined further in the light of ITU guidelines.
For the present, the following course of action shall be adopted.
- Spectrum usage fee shall be charged.
- Setting up an empowered Inter-Ministerial Group to be called
as Wireless Planning Coordination Committee (WPCC) as part of the Ministry of
Communications for periodical review of spectrum availability and broad allocation policy.
Massive computerisation in the WPC Wing will be started
during the next three months’ time so as to achieve the objective of making all
operations completely computerised by the end of year 2000. |
