India defence loosens hold on spectrum

NEW DELHI, INDIA: India's defence ministry has agreed to release 45 MHz of wireless radio spectrum, the Business Standard reported, a move that will help fast-growing mobile telecoms firms reeling under shortage of radio waves.

The defence ministry had signed an accord with the telecoms ministry to immediately release 10 MHz spectrum for third-generation (3G) mobile services and 5 MHz for the dominant 2G services.

The remaining would come in a phased manner, taking the total to 25 MHz for 3G and remainder for 2G, according to timelines agreed by the two ministries, it said, without saying where it got the information from.

A spokesman for the telecom ministry could not be immediately reached.

Separately, the Mint newspaper, quoting an unnamed telecoms ministry official, said defence forces had agreed to free up spectrum over the next three years in a phased manner. It did not say how much spectrum they would vacate.