India’s National Frequency Allocation Plan – 2011 (NAFP), released by Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology Kapil Sibal, came into effect from October 1, 2011.
The NFAP – 2011 is a policy document containing spectrum allocation for various radio communication services/applications in different frequency bands. The NFAP – 2011 is an update to the earlier NFAP- 2008, formulated by the Wireless and Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the India’s Department of Telecom (DoT).
“The document provides the basis for development, manufacturing, and spectrum utilization activities in the country, both for the government and private sectors,” the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said in a statement.
The plan will ensure that scarce resources will be used rationally, optimally, efficiently and economically so that equitable access could be available to a large variety of radio communication network in an interference free radio environment, Sibal said.
“Planning of frequency bands for various services/applications for their coexistence without constraining the existing assignments is essential. The growing demand for information rich content, faster access speeds and mobility by both commercial and captive users is increasingly being met by broadband wireless application,” he added.
The revised policy is an update to the earlier NFAP – 2008, formulated by the Wireless and Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the India’s Department of Telecom (DoT). Sibal said that the policy has been prepared through a transparent process after seeking opinion of government departments and private entities, including telecom equipment manufacturers.
The revised NFAP supports new technologies like Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Intelligence Transport System (ITS). UWB is a short range, low power technology that will enable a range of applications like WPANs, which can be used for information technology, multimedia entertainment, consumer applications, public protection, construction, engineering, science, medical and transportation. Whereas, ITS may be defined as systems utilizing a combination of computers, communications, positioning and automation technologies to use the available data to improve the safety, management and efficiency of terrestrial transport, and to reduce the environmental impact.
The NFAP has also made special provisions for implementing International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT) to enable faster data transmission at lower prices.
The NFAP policy document states that the demand for both voice and data services has increased because of the explosive growth in the wireless industry. And to cater to the increased demand, service providers have been upgrading their networks with advanced technologies, resulting in a significant increase in demand for spectrum.
While referring to the on-going talks with the Defence Ministry, Sibal said vacation of additional spectrum for the growth of both voice and data services was high on the agenda
“While there is one block of wireless broadband spectrum available, which will be auctioned in the near future, more radio frequency is needed for the growth of mobile services. The forthcoming National Telecom Policy-2011 will address issues related to spectrum management so that radio frequency can be used more efficiently,” Sibal was quoted as saying by a newspaper.
Apart from NFAP – 2011, Sibal is expected to introduce three new important policies — National Telecom Policy – 2011, Electronics Policy, and IT Policy — in the coming days.
Some of the salient features of NFAP – 2011 are:
- It is in line with the Radio Regulations of International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
- It has been developed to cater to the needs of newly emerging technologies such as Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Intelligent Transport System (ITS), Short Range Devices, etc.
- It has enabled provisions in few frequency bands for indigenous development and manufacturing.
- The NFAP-2011 has taken due care to ensure protection of existing services.
- It has kept in view the requirement projected by all stakeholders.
Click here to read/download the NFAP – 2011 policy document…
