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Radio Frequency Spectrum is a limited natural resource. Spectrum basically refers to a collection of various types of electromagnetic radiations of different wavelengths. In India the radio frequencies are arbitrarily confined between 9kHz and 3000 GHz and are being used for 40 different types of services like fixed communication, mobile communication, broadcasting, radio navigation, radiolocation, fixed and mobile satellite service, aeronautical satellite service, radio navigational satellite service etc.

Some of the important and typical characteristics of the radio frequency Spectrum are as below.

1. Radio frequency spectrum does not respect international geographical boundaries as it is spread over a large terrestrial area.

2. use of radio frequency Spectrum is susceptible to overlapping interference and requires the application of complex engineering tools to ensure interference free operation of various wireless networks.

3. Unlike other natural resources, radio frequency spectrum is not consumed upon its usage. It is also liable to be wasted if it is not used optimally and efficiently. Radio frequency spectrum usage is therefore to be shared amongst the various radio services and must be used efficiently, optimally and economically in conformity with the provisions of national and international laws.

The limitation of the radio frequency spectrum is mainly due to the following factors.

1. Propagation characteristics of different types of radio waves.

2. Availability of technology and equipment for different types of radio frequency spectrum applications.

3. The suitability of frequency bands for specific applications

Allocation of Spectrum

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at the World Radio communication Conferences allocate Spectrum frequencies for the use of various countries. Allocations are made on a regional basis and for different types of services. It is mandatory for all administrations to adhere to these allocations. For the purpose of spectrum allocation, each member country submits its proposals to ITU, based on their requirements and priorities for opening of the bands. During the conference all the proposals are discussed and decisions are taken for opening of the bands for new services or extension of the existing bands. These decisions are reflected in the International Frequency allocation Table of radio regulation and other regulatory provisions for use of bands, which forms the basis for allotment by the member countries. need for spectrum allocation

Spectrum Allocation is necessary in order to ensure interference free operation for each radio service. Each frequency band is shared amongst various radio services but the sharing is possible only with the use of similar systems. Sharing is also possible by way of geographical separation, time-sharing and through technical solutions like smart antenna and intelligent radio system.

National Frequency Allocation plan: 2002.

The National Frequency Allocation plan (NFAP) forms the basis for development and manufacturing of wireless equipment and spectrum utilization in the country. It contains the service options in various frequency bands for India and also provides the channeling plan in different bands.

Spectrum and Mobile Telephone Services:

Mobile telephone service providers in India use GSM and CDMAtechnologies. GSM technology works in the frequency bands of 900 and 1800 MHz in India and CDMA technology works in the 800 MHz band. 800, 900 and 1800 MHz bands were earlier allotted to thedefiance services for their mobile communication usage. however, upon the launch of mobile communication services for public, coordination was sought from the defense department to make the spectrum available for mobile services. Since the mobile communication technologies provide international roaming facilities, it is essential to allocate spectrum in the common bands which are being used the world over. Also, the mobile handsets being used are imported hence conform to the GSM 900/1800 bands. if radio frequencies are allotted in other bands then handsets will not be compatible with it and new handsets will have to be developed which will be costlier and therefore the cost of mobile communication services will also increase.

Presently, 25 MHz spectrum in 900 MHz band (890 – 915 / 935 – 960 MHz) and 75 MHz in the 1800 MHz band (1710 – 1785 / 1805 – 1880 MHz) is earmarked for GSM services. however, out of this total 100 MHz, only 15 MHz in GSM 1800 band is available for use as the remaining 60 MHz is still to be vacated by the defense department. Also out of the total 25 MHz in GSM 900 band, a total of 20.2 MHz is available for GSM networks and Railways’ train safety systems. The minimum amount of spectrum required for launching GSM services is 2 x 4.4 MHz. Presently, the government has allotted a cumulative maximum spectrum of up to 4.4 MHz in GSM 900 and 1800 MHz band to mobile operators.

For CDMA services, 20 MHz spectrum in the 800 MHz band (824 – 844 / 869 – 889 MHz) is available. In this 20 + 20 MHz spectrum, 14 CDMA carriers of nominal 1.25 MHz each are possible for assignment to service providers. Spectrum for the roll out of 3G services (voice, data and video) will be allotted through e auction in the 2.1 GHz (1920 – 1980 / 2110 – 2170 MHz) band. however, the Spectrum required for the launch of 3G services is yet to be vacated by the defense department.

Spectrum Allotment Procedure

In the case of licensed telecom service provider’s spectrum was initially allotted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the service license agreements. however, due to an exponential increase in the number of mobile subscribers additional mobile is required by the mobile operators. Serving a larger number of subscribers requires, either a larger amount of spectrum or an increase in the number of base stations. Therefore, additional spectrum is required at some stage as a techno economic solution to meet the growth of mobile services. Department of Telecommunications has evolved guidelines for the allotment of extra spectrum, based on the justification and fulfillment of the prescribed criteria. The subscriber-based criteria have been formulated taking into account demographic characteristics of different categories of service areas, average traffic per subscriber, number of base stations in a specified area etc. Spectrum is allotted subject to completion of co-ordination and availability at a particular location.

As spectrum is a scarce resource, its equitable allotment for systems using different technologies seems to be the solution. The government while formulating its spectrum policy should try to create a flexible and technology neutral regime to allow new technologies equal access to spectrum. It should also enable market mechanisms to promote efficient use of spectrum by developing market incentives and differential pricing of spectrum in congested areas. Also auctions or fixed fee access can ensure that spectrum ‘owners’ will want to minimize the quantum of spectrum. The government may also permit public and private users to trade spectrum to allow new users access to spectrum and to provide them with possibilities to move to another non – wireless media or other frequency bands if possible. It can also mark off specific public and private use segments of spectrum and try to bring about transparency and openness in the spectrum allotment process so that this scarce natural resource is put to it optimal use in a more efficient manner

Spectrum Management Department of Telecommunication

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 defense & others and efforts would be made towards relocating them so as to have optimal utilization 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.

Radio spectrum or Spectrum is the pipe that carries wireless communication of all types. It is measured in Mega Hertz (millions of cycles per second) and for this business is like dough for a bakery. It is certainly not possible to start a wireless service without being allocated spectrum, just like it is not possible to make bread without having dough. To complicate matters further, unlike dough whose supply can be increased by increasing wheat cultivation, there is a finite amount of spectrum – currently around 35 MHz – that is available for commercial operations and is leased out by the government to start a wireless service in a given area, a new operator requires around 2.5-4.4 MHz, depending on the technology. After nearly a year of wrangling between the department of telecom and the defense ministry, we are about to see about 105 MHz (25 MHz for GSM services, 50 MHz for high-speed mobile and 60/2 MHz for wireless internet services) being released for commercial services, setting off a frenzy among aspiring wireless operators.