Trai’s Proposal for Spectrum Allocation Likely to Be Discussed by Telecom Commission on August 31

Trai’s proposal for spectrum allocation will likely be discussed at the next meeting of Telecom Commission, that’s going to be held on August 31. Alongside the spectrum allocation proposal, the highest decision making body in the telecom sector is also expected to discuss various other things currently going on in the Indian telecom industry. “The next Telecom Commission meeting is proposed for August 31,” an official source told PTI without disclosing agenda of the meeting.

The Telecom Commission, apex decision-making body at the telecom department, is likely to meet on August 31 to discuss Trai’s recommendation on spectrum allocation, according to official sources, said a report of PTI.

Another DoT source said though agenda has not been freezed for the meeting, but it is likely to take up some of the recommendation made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) regarding spectrum allocation. Earlier, DoT also confirmed that it would analyse Trai’s report on spectrum auction.

The source, however, said the latest recommendations of Trai on spectrum auction plan worth Rs 4.9 lakh crore may not come. Last month, keeping aside observation of the Supreme Court order in the 2G case that spectrum should be allocated through the auction, Trai recommended allotment of spectrum without bidding route for PMRTS.

Unlike cellular services, PMRTS are operated for two-way communication within a small distance of around 30 kilometre-range by police, security agencies, construction companies etc.

The recommendations were made after the telecom department requested the Trai to suggest an appropriate method of spectrum allocation for Public Mobile Radio Trunking Service (PMRTS).

The Supreme Court order in 2012, which cancelled 122 telecom permits that were assigned spectrum administratively for 2G service, said that the spectrum should be assigned transparently through auction.

The DoT in July 2017 had sought regulator’s views on the method that should be used for spectrum allocation for PMRTS.