Open Question to Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal – Is existing Telecom Spectrum Liberalized ? TRAI Sleeping on Complaint

In my recommendations to the TRAI on Spectrum Auction I had asked the authorities to come up with a roadmap for the Telecommunications Sector. TRAI did take up but not in entirety and DoT is still wrangled with Red Tape bureaucrats,so you know what to expect.

TRAI clearly stated that all Auctioned Spectrum is liberalized. Reading between the lines, its mum on liberalized use of EVDO Services [Equivalent to 3G] by CDMA operators using the 800MHz band. Clarifications sought evoked no response. Thus I had no other option but to file a complaint with the TRAI and I did so on 30-04-2012 and still haven’t heard from them. Revenue Loss to the Government by il-legal usage of 800MHz Spectrum for EVDO Services is Rs 14,823 Cr as calculated below.

Open Question to DoT / Minister ?
Will the Honorable Minister of Communications and IT clarify if 800 MHz Spectrum is liberalized to use ? If yes, since when and if not, why is the Government not cracking down on il-legal usage by operators ? Isn’t it a matter of National Security now ? Where are the clearances from Home Ministry for providing these services ?

4 Comments

  1. cool… But Govt. Wil only understand once an PIL or petition is filed against them…

    1. Author

      I have filed a complaint with CAG Office, Telecom Wing as well as TRAI. Let some daredevil like Subramanyam Swamy take up the issue as I’m a lesser mortal 🙂

      1. Author

        Vodafone took the matter to TDSAT and they have said in their judgement [copy available here http://convergence.in/download/PNo461of2012.pdf%5D,

        that licenses are technology neutral and consequently they are entitled to use spectrum allocated to them pursuant to or in furtherance of the license granted in their favor in any manner whatsoever and irrespective of the nature of spectrum.

        So as on this date, Spectrum is Liberalized, we never know when the Government will strike back or go for higher appeal against TDSAT Order.

  2. do u get notification when i comment on ur blog, coz i dnt get notification, when u commented me back…

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