The move will allow RCom to liberalize 800MHz band spectrum in four circles — Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for Rs 1,300 crore.
Department of Telecom has notified guidelines for liberalization of spectrum, allocated without auction to telecom companies, paying the way for Reliance Communications (RCom) to liberalize its airwaves in 4 circles. As per the guidelines, the most recent reserve price recommended by TRAI will be taken as provisional price for liberalization of administratively allocated spectrum with the balance being collected after deriving market rate through bidding.
The Cabinet earlier this month had cleared liberalization of spectrum that was allocated without auction to telecom firms. The move will enable RCom to liberalize spectrum in four circles — where auction determined price is not available — for Rs 1,300 crore.
“As an interim measure, the most recent recommended reserve price by TRAI will be taken as provisional price for liberalization of the administratively allocated spectrum in such cases,” the notification said.
It added, “Subsequent to the completion of the ensuing auction and with the availability of auction determined price, provisional price already charged will be suitably adjusted with the auction determined price with effect from date of liberalization on pro-rata basis.”
The notification further said in event of non-availability of auction determined in the ensuing auction, the price to be charged for liberalization may be reviewed by the government after completion of such auction.
A liberalized spectrum allows telecom operators to use any technology to deliver mobile services like 3G and 4G. Besides, they will be able to introduce new technologies and share and trade it with other operators for its efficient use.
RCom had applied for liberalizing its 800 MHz spectrum in 20 circles a few months back. The company had already paid Rs 5,383.84 crore as spectrum liberalization fee for 16 telecom circles.
The four RCom circles are — Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu — where a market determined price was not available in the 800MHz band.
Source: bgr.in
Top Brands
