Ministry of Communication and Information Technology
Department of Telecommunications

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 714
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.04.2016
Allocation of 700 MHz spectrum

714. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Ministry has taken note of the Credit Suisse statement that allocation of the 700 MHz spectrum in July will see only a "partial success" due to the high recommended reserve price of Rs. 11,485 crore; and

(b) whether the Ministry has taken steps to allocate spectrum within this bandwidth in a more efficient and cost effective manner and if so, the details thereof?

Answer
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) & (b) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a Consultation Paper dated 26 November, 2015 on “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum in 700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500 MHz bands” based on a request made to TRAI by the Government. The TRAI invited written comments on the Consultation Paper from the various stakeholders by 21 December, 2015 and counter comments by 28 December, 2015. The TRAI, taking into account the comments of various stakeholders received during consultation process, released its recommendation on “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum in 700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500 MHz bands” dated 27.1.2016 and subsequent response dated 18.4.2016 on back reference by the Government. These recommendations of TRAI are under consideration.