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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:
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Considering the growing need of
spectrum for communication services, there is a need to make
adequate spectrum available |
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Appropriate frequency bands have
historically been assigned to defence & others and efforts would
be made towards relocating them so as to have optimal
utilisation of spectrum. Compensation for relocation may be
provided out of spectrum fee and revenue share levied by
Government. |
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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: -
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Spectrum usage fee shall be charged.
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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. |
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Massive computerisation in the WPC
Wing will be started during the next three months’ time so as to
achieve the objective of making all operations completely
computerised by the end of year 2000. |
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