What is the Total Wireless Spectrum Available in India across all Bands / Technologies ?

Indians are basically fond of Assets more than building businesses that can generate cash flow at the end of the day. This is consistent with the Digital Age Asset – Spectrum. I took a Top Down approach to study what is the Total Wireless Spectrum Available and how is it allocated.

According to the National Frequency Allocation Plan (2011) ample spectrum for 2G/3G/4G services – 100+Mhz in 2G, 60Mhz for 3G and 500+MHz for BWA services has been set aside to run Digital Economy. However, not all the spectrum is currently available for the private operators as some of it is with Government entities.

The following chart shows the Total Wireless Spectrum Available across all Bands / Technologies [2G/3G/4G/LTE/] as on October-31st, 2011.

Problem With Spectrum Some spectrum has been allotted to the Defence and other Government entities like the Department of Post etc. The problem is compounded by the differing availability across the 22 circles and lack of clarity on the actual quantum available. I have Ordered [No more Requests] the Government to conduct an audit on the Spectrum Allotment and Availability.

2G Spectrum From the above Chart it is clear that a total of 107.5MHz of paired 2G spectrum has been set aside as per the National Frequency Allocation Plan (2011) in the 900 and 1800 MHz band. Only ~20MHz of this lucrative spectrum has been allocated till now and the remainder is still with the Government or some Government agency. The remaining 75MHz of 2G spectrum is in the less spectrally efficient 1800MHz band and 50-70MHz of it has already been allocated.

Break-up of Allocated vs Availability of all the Spectrum Bands
900 Mhz 2G Spectrum Table as Per National Frequency Allocation Plan
1800 Mhz 2G Spectrum Table as Per National Frequency Allocation Plan
2100 Mhz 3G Spectrum Table as Per National Frequency Allocation Plan
2300 Mhz LTE / BWA Spectrum Table as Per National Frequency Allocation Plan

We will next look into the Spectrum Re-farming issues and Market Value of the Spectrum. In short everything related to spectrum will be written out of the study I have done.