In case of spectrum allocation beyond 4.4 MHz and up to 6.2 MHz to GSM operators, the service provider should have covered at least 50% of the district headquarters of any other town in lieu thereof, according to Indian telecom regulator’s recommendations for assignment of additional spectrum.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended a set of eligibility conditions for allocating additional spectrum to telecom operators beyond the initial start up spectrum. The recommendations were a part of the suggestions sent by TRAI to the Department of Telecom (DoT) standing committee.
TRAI has suggested that for allocating spectrum beyond 2.5 MHz and up to 3.75 MHz to CDMA service providers, the provider has to commercially launched the service and should cover at least 25% of the district headquarters or any other town in a district in lieu thereof.
“Coverage of a district HQ/town would mean that at least 90% of the area bounded by the Municipal limits should get the required street coverage,” TRAI stated.
In case of spectrum allocation beyond 3.75 MHz and up to 5 MHz in respect of CDMA, the service provider should have covered at least 50% of the district headquarters or any other town in lieu thereof.
The regulator has also recommended that in case of spectrum assignment beyond 6.2 and up to 8 MHz with regard to GSM operators should have completed the two year roll-out target.
“In the three metros of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata the service provider would be entitled for additional GSM spectrum beyond 4.4 MHz up to 6.2 MHz on achievement of 90% street coverage of the Metro service area. In the metros of Delhi and Mumbai, achievement of 5% and 10% of market share in the Metro service area would entitle the service provider for spectrum of 8 MHz and 10 MHz respectively. While in Kolkata, achievement of 5% of market share in the Metro service area would entitle the service provider for spectrum of 8 MHz,” TRAI has stated.
With respect to CDMA services, the operator would be entitled for additional spectrum beyond 2.5 MHz up to 3.75 MHz in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata after the commercial launch and 90% street coverage.
The operator would be eligible for spectrum of 5 MHz and 6.25 MHz respectively in Delhi and Mumbai if it achieves 5% and 10% market share in the metro service area. Whereas in Kolkata, the operator would get spectrum of 5 MHz if it has a market share of 5% in the service area.
