Spectrum Allocation and Issues The word spectrum refers to a collection of various types of electromagnetic radiations of different wavelengths.

Spectrum or airwaves are the radio frequencies on which all communication signals travel, and is used for different types of services like space communication, mobile communication, broadcasting, radio navigation, mobile satellite service, aeronautical satellite services, defence communication etc. At international level this very scarce and valuable resource is regulated by International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and all nations abide by its rules to support trade, transportation, communications, and mutual protection against interference by incorporating international roaming facilities, for which allocation of spectrum is done in the common bands i.e GSM 900/1800 band in which mobile handsets are manufactured. The Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications, created in 1952, is the authority responsible for Frequency Spectrum Management in India, including licensing and caters for the needs of all wireless users in the country. It issues licenses under section 4 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to operate wireless stations. Spectrum usage charges consist of license fee and royalty charges (PSUs are treated like private bidders). Frequency bands allocated to various types of radio services in India are as follows. (There is no need to summarize these figures, given just for having the fine picture; plus many irrelevant ranges left intentionally)all in MHz i) 0-87.5 MHz is used for marine and aeronautical navigation, short and medium wave radio, amateur (ham) radio and cordless phones. ii) 87.5-108 MHz is used for FM radio broadcasts iii) 109- 173 Used for Satellite communication, aeronautical navigation and outdoor broadcast vans vii) 585-698 Used for TV broadcast ix) 806-960 Used by GSM and CDMA mobile services x) 960-1710 Aeronautical and space communication xi) 1710- 1930 Used for GSM mobile services xii) 1930-2010 Used by defence forces xiii) 2010-2025 Not allocated xiv) 2025-2110 Satellite and space communications

xviii) 2400- 2483.5 Used for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth short range services xix) 2483.5-3300 Space communications xxii) 10000 used for satellite downlink for broadcast and DTH services #those in red were the bands for which auction took place recently.

The minimum amount of spectrum required for launching GSM services is 4.4 MHz with maximum allotment of 12.5 MHz of spectrum per operator in each service area. Allocation in India was earlier based on first-come-first-serve basis but after the scam and other difficulties auction procedure was adopted for assigning licenses with the objective of raising revenue and ensuring transparency in allocation of limited number of licenses. Recent auctions were of multiple (three) rounds of bidding in all circles. Spectrum pricing is being considered instead of auctioning as bidders either wins licenses by bidding too low revenue loss for govt or by putting a price too high resulting in bankruptcy or higher tariffs for customers. Spectrum for the roll out of 3G services (voice, data and video) will be allotted through auction in the 2.1 GHz band. However, the spectrum required for the launch of 3G services is yet to be vacated by the defence department. In India significant quantum of radio frequencies required for telecommunication is used by the defence forces unlike many other countries where NATO band is employed by defence forces. The telecom and defence ministries are in discussion for transferring the radio frequencies for telecommunication by providing fibre cable network for armed forces instead across the country at a cost of Rs 10000 cr. (this will save more spectrum for the telecommunication, that means more spectrum to bid for and hence more money count in governments pocket via auctions to cover up that 10000 cr cost and its deficit + TRAI is speculating to value the excess 2G spectrum with the operators at the 3G prices, which is strongly opposed by the GSM operators.) Understanding Spectrum Allocation with Analogy: Take analogy of ice-cream brick (total available spectrum) is being auctioned for distribution among some candidates. There are lines marked on the brick for fair distribution. Suppose 10 suck blocks (spectrum blocks) can be cut out using the lines and there are 4 bidders. After auction, #1 gets 4 blocks, #2- 3, #3- 2 and #4 is left with just block. Now, when actual cuts are made on the drawn lines it may occur that a candidate may intentionally or apparently encroach in the others territory, carving a share out of his part. This is similar to the dispute that may arise when very fine divisions are made while assigning spectrum blocks to bidders. In real world, we notice it on FM broadcasts where a channel might still be clearly available even if the frequency is altered in decimals manually. Hence, it is necessary to provide flexible buffer partition to avoid interference due to overlapping radio frequencies.

Challenges faced by Telecom Industry in India: Due to the erratic power supply and non availability of grid electricity in rural areas, nearly 60% of towers depend on diesel generators. As per new TRAI directions in this field, telecom industry is bound to meet the timeline (by 2015) for setting up independent renewable energy companies based on solar energy, fuel cells and other renewable sources -> adding burden to its expenses in though saving million litres of diesel (!) in the long run. TRAI is asking 8% of the revenue share from tower companies to be paid to the Government by bringing all tower companies under unified licence scheme. Telecom tower industry is facing public wrath as they are one of the major contributors to carbon emission in the country Also general public is getting wary of these towers exceeding SAR limit, leading to health risks generated from living in confinement of towers over a long period. The universal problem in India of multiple clearances; huge delay in granting permissions; and certification-fee payments to plethora of local authorities like Municipal Corporation, panchayat, state government etc. Domestic and International roaming issues leading to cross-border disputes; spectrum fragmentation and bilateral nature of roaming deals adding complexity. device incompatibility issue arising at international level as countries not agreeing to one range and it is likely to create problem for mobile handset manufacturers to build devices supporting local and roaming bands. The trade off between cell size and capital expenditure is a headache for telecom industry as for providing service to a large subscriber base within the available bandwidth the cell size is to be kept small but that would mean more number of cells to cover an area and thus more towers and finally a large capital expenditure. Also, if large cell size is maintained to reduce the cost that would need taller antennas which increases the interference. Licenses once acquired are not easily transferrable which makes companies sceptic before bidding for the spectrum. Similarly, rolling out, expanding by buying others share and license renewal procedure need to be made conducive to encourage fresh participation.

Way Ahead or Conclusion: The Government should formulate a flexible spectrum policy bearing in mind that it is spectrum right being auctioned and not the spectrum. An open and transparent auction format will ensure that the government realizes the best price for spectrum as per the market forces and at the same time the telecom operators minimize and efficiently use the spectrum By Shaashi Ahlawat

Refernces: http://www.indiatelecomonline.com/telecom-spectrum-allocation-in-india/ www.indiatelecomonline.com/regulatory-challenges-faced-by-telecom-tower-industry/ http://www.telecoms.com/154582/done-roaming/ http://www.iitcoe.in/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=38&Itemid=20