GSMA calls for additional Spectrum

The GSMA has announced the availability of 3G and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) licences in India will help accelerate the deployment of mobile broadband networks and services across the country, and will be instrumental in helping the Indian government to achieve its target of 20 million broadband subscribers by the end of this year.

However, with the absence of fixed line infrastructure, additional low frequency spectrum in the digital dividend band (700MHz) should also be licensed to operators to deliver Mobile Broadband across India's vast rural areas due to lower costs and quicker time to market as a result of less infrastructure build out. According to the TRAI, 70% of the Indian population reside in rural areas, and of the country's current 9 million broadband subscribers, just 5% are based outside major cities.

Jaikishan Rajaraman, senior director, GSMA, said, “To meet the growing demand for Internet access, the Indian government needs a comprehensive band plan strategy that will enable operators to roll out services in both highly populated and rural areas. This is best achieved through a combined frequency plan: low frequency spectrum, such as the digital dividend, is ideal for rural and in-building coverage; high frequency spectrum, like that recently licensed in the 2.1GHz and 2.3GHz bands, and the yet-to-be licensed 2.6GHz band, is ideal for ensuring coverage and capacity in densely populated areas.”