By IANS
New Delhi : The issue of spectrum allocation would soon be resolved amicably after security concerns are addressed, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Wednesday.
“We have to address security concerns and then meet the requirements of the telecom sector. We would find an amicable solution at the earliest,” Antony told reporters here on the sidelines of an event on coastguards here.
Earlier this month, a group of ministers (GoM) headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee that is looking into the issue of spectrum allocation, decided to establish a technical assessment committee to identify the areas where the Defence Ministry can vacate the radio frequencies.
The technical assessment committee will look at the areas where spectrum can be vacated, Communications and IT Minister A. Raja had said after the GoM meeting.
According to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as much as 60 MHz of spectrum under control of the defence ministry is not being utilised. DoT has asked for 42.5 MHz for the use of mobile phone service operators.
However, the defence ministry had claimed that it wanted the spectrum to allow for growth plans of its forces.
Last week, the Cellular Operators Association of India sent a legal notice to DoT, demanding immediate allocation of radio waves to GSM mobile service operators.
With India adding 6-7 million mobile subscribers a month, operators are fighting it out for space in the airwaves to develop their services.