It is time for the Indian government to start a spectrum ministry by partly
restructuring its telecom ministry.
First, the ministry has to clear spectrum issues concerning 2G, 3G-BWA, 4G,
and mobile TV. At present, we are not sure what would be the future spectrum
policy. We need a long term spectrum policy to guide the industry and rebuild
its confidence in the system.
Telecom investors are clueless about the timing of 3G-BWA, 4G (LTE), and
mobile TV spectrum auction. Existing operators like Tata Teleservices do not
know when they will get next round of air waves even in a metro like Delhi. On
the other hand, greenfield operators are sitting on the spectrum without
launching services.
The telecom ministry, under the guidance of A Raja, has its hands full
because it is seriously looking at improving the financial health of BSNL-which
is losing its glory-and the future of MTNL. Besides these, rural India wants
immediate efforts from the ministry for connecting it to urban India.
For MNP implementation, which is going slow due to poor management by the DoT
and lackluster support from some of the mobile operators and MNP vendors, the
current ministry will work hard and can take credit as and when it implements
it. Currently, MNP is in trouble. The Indian mobile operators are all set to
miss the April 1, 2010 deadline.
Policies on telecom M&A, divestment in BSNL, tariffs, broadband, continuation
of incentives to operators, security, Chinese vendors, managing its conflict
with Trai, etc, will keep the telecom ministry busy for the next three to four
years. Solving spectrum hurdles involves coordination among different
stakeholders, which is a huge task. The best solution is to start a new ministry
to handle all spectrum concerns.
The new spectrum ministry should create a board to look at the country's
spectrum needs. The board should have representatives from various sector
regulators (ie, communications & broadcasting) and public service
agencies/departments which use spectrum (ie, aviation, defense, etc) and a
number of appointees by the prime minister.
The new ministry can formulate and establish plans and policies that ensure
effective, efficient, and equitable use of the spectrum by different ministries.
The industry needs fresh lease of life. We want to hear a single voice. We need
practical solutions from the top.
Baburajan K
baburajank@cybermedia.co.in