DoT to telcos: Vacate spectrum by Sept-end
The department of telecommunications (DoT) has written to internet service providers Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Tata Communications and Dishnet Wireless, directing them to vacate spectrum in the 3,300-3,400MHz band by the end of September as the government gears up to conduct an auction of this bandwidth for the first time.
In a letter dated March 27, DoT said “all existing licencees of spectrum in the 3,300-3,400MHz band are required to vacate the spectrum held by them within six months from the date of issue of this notice”. Mint has seen a copy of the letter.
“They may like to migrate to other frequency bands presently being used for providing internet services, viz. 2.7-2.9GHz, 5GHz, etc., and apply to the wireless planning wing (of DoT),” the letter said.
Moreover, no new assignment will be made in the said band and existing licences will not be renewed, the letter added.
NEW DELHI:
While Reliance Communications has wound up its wireless operations, Dishnet Wireless is part of the Aircel group.
“Airtel has already surrendered this spectrum,” a company spokesperson said.
Emails sent to Reliance Communications, Tata Communications, Dishnet Wireless were unanswered till press time.
DoT plans to auction spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1,800MHz, 2,100MHz, 2,300MHz, 2,500MHz, 3,300-3,400MHz and 3,400-3,600MHz bands in the next auction.