Defense to vacate spectrum by year end

NEW DELHI, INDIA: In a major announcement, union minister for IT and communication, A Raja today said that the defense forces will vacate some spectrum by the end of this year.

The spectrum would be used for 2G and 3G services. Stating that the key hurdle for the roll out of 3G services is availability of spectrum Raja said, “This paves the way for 3G services by mid next year."

“An institutional mechanism has been put in place for the early vacation of spectrum by defense,’’ added Raja.

Raja had earlier stated that of the 42.5 MHz of spectrum, the defense would vacate 25MHz spectrum.

The TRAI had submitted its recommendations to the DoT in September 2006 for releasing 25MHz of 3G spectrum in the 2100MHz frequency band for auction to five mobile operators. The rest would be allocated to the existing service providers based on the terms and conditions of the license.

Speaking on the charges leveled by COAI on the new telecom license guidelines, Raja sad that the decision was taken following approval of the Telecom Commission.