Lok Sabha Question No. 1743 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-27
Subject: Harmonisation and Auction of Spectrum
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI, HARI BABU KAMBHAMPATI, MAHEISH GIRRI, K. MARAGATHAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1743 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  JULY, 2016

## HARMONISATION AND AUCTION OF SPECTRUM

1743.   SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

DR. KAMBHAMPATI HARIBABU:

SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

SHRIMATI K. MARAGATHAM:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken final call on reconsidered recommendation of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on various issues of spectrum pricing and auction;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  reconsidered  recommendation  and  the  spectrum  bands, reserve price and date of auction fixed by the Government;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  moved  to  harmonize  spectrum  and  if  so,  the details thereof and the manner in which it would solve the problem of under utilisation of spectrum;
- (d) whether the Ministry has allocated separate band known as Defence Band or Defence Interest Zone; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the special purpose it is likely to achieve?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b) The  Government  has  taken  decision  on  most  of  the  reconsidered recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on various issues of spectrum pricing and auction such as Quantum of spectrum, Block size, Conditions for    minimum  spectrum  to  bid,  Spectrum  Cap,  Auction  of  partial  spectrum,  Rollout obligations, Eligibility Conditions, Validity period, Reserve price, Payment terms etc. A detail of spectrum bands and their reserve price is at Annexure-I. The date of auction is yet to be decided.
- (c)  Harmonisation  of  1800  MHz  band  has  been  completed.  The  harmonisation process  involved  shifting  of  telecom  network  from  Defence  Band  to  Telecom  Band and vice-versa. Approximately 190.0 MHz spectrum has been released as a result of harmonisation  of  1800  MHz  band,  which  will  be  utilised  for  telecom  services.  In addition to harmonisation in 1800 MHz band, the harmonisation process of 800 MHz is under way.
- (d) & (e) The Ministry has created separate band known as Defence Band (DB) and Defence Interest Zone(DIZ). The DB is the list of frequency sub bands which have been  identified  for  exclusive  use  by  Defence  and  the  frequency  bands  for  use  by Defence and other wireless users. DIZ is an area up to 50 KM (excluding cities) from international borders/Line of Control/Line of Actual Control. The creation of DB and DIZ will facilitate further efficient planning of wireless networks of Defence Services.

Reserve Price for Auction of Spectrum in Various Bands Rupees in Crores per MHz

| Licensed Service area (LSA)   | Paired   | Paired   | Paired   | Paired   | Paired   | Unpaired   | Unpaired   |
|-------------------------------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|------------|------------|
| Licensed Service area (LSA)   | 700 MHz  | 800 MHz  | 900 MHz  | 1800 MHz | 2100 MHz | 2300 MHz   | 2500 MHz   |
| Delhi                         | 1595     | 848      |          | 399      | 554      | 143        | 143        |
| Mumbai                        | 1192     | 727      |          | 298      | 461      | 146        | 146        |
| Kolkata                       | 596      | 160      |          | 149      | 116      | 33         | 33         |
| Andhra Pradesh                | 971      | 606      |          | 243      | 272      | 68         | 68         |
| Gujarat                       | 952      | 285      | 673      | 238      | 258      | 39         | 39         |
| Karnataka                     | 740      | 303      | 558      | 185      | 328      | 98         | 98         |
| Maharashtra                   | 1272     | 799      |          | 318      | 341      | 58         | 58         |
| Tamilnadu                     | 900      | 360      |          | 225      | 344      | 132        | 132        |
| Haryana                       | 186      | 57       | 151      | 47       | 55       | 8          | 8          |
| Kerala                        | 334      | 243      |          | 83       | 177      | 16         | 16         |
| Madhya Pradesh                | 331      | 408      |          | 83       | 123      | 8          | 8          |
| Punjab                        | 308      | 119      |          | 77       | 91       | 21         | 21         |
| Rajasthan                     | 364      | 204      |          | 91       | 140      | 6          | 6          |
| U. P. (East)                  | 459      | 219      | 776      | 115      | 110      | 9          | 9          |
| U.P. (West)                   | 384      | 182      | 739      | 96       | 111      | 12         | 12         |
| West Bengal                   | 183      | 82       |          | 46       | 52       | 5          | 5          |
| Assam                         | 158      |          |          | 40       | 46       | 2          | 2          |
| Bihar                         | 248      | 136      | 444      | 62       | 86       | 6          | 6          |
| Himachal Pradesh              | 64       | 24       |          | 16       | 20       | 1          | 1          |
| Jammu & Kashmir               | 52       |          |          | 13       | 11       | 1          | 1          |
| North East                    | 44       |          |          | 11       | 12       | 1          | 1          |
| Orissa                        | 152      | 57       |          | 38       | 38       | 4          | 4          |

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