GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED

QUESTION NO. 333

 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12th DECEMBER, 2018

UNUSED SPECTRUM

333.

1. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the percentage of spectrum with the Defence Ministry which is not being utilized;

(b) whether Ministry has considered taking spectrum from the Defence Ministry and other Departments and using them for commercial purposes;

 (c) if so, specific steps taken by the Ministry in this regard; and

 (d) if not, the reasons for the same?

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

 (a) Certain frequency bands for Defence services have been identified and approved by Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and promulgated by Ministry of Communications on 12th March 2015.The spectrum with Defence services is for optimal utilization of diversified platforms such as Ground platforms, Air crafts and ships. The spectrum held with Defence services provides the necessary flexibility of operations in dense electro-magnetic environment.

(b) Yes, Madam. The spectrum in Defence band is allotted to Defence services in accordance with the need of Defence services and for meeting the requirement of their future planned networks. However, the requirement of spectrum for other wireless users in the bands identified are also coordinated by Defence services.

 (c) Following steps have been taken in this regard: i) Harmonization of spectrum in International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) bands has been done. ii) Spectrum not used by Defence in 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2300-2400 MHz frequency bands has been harmonized after coordination with Ministry of Defence.

(d) Not applicable in view of (c) above. *************