The National Telecom Policy 2011 draft calls for Wireless Spectrum Re-farming. The policy has proposed enactment of a separate Spectrum Act to deal with all issues connected with wireless (spectrum) licenses and their terms and conditions including re-farming/withdrawal of allotted spectrum, spectrum pricing, cancellation or revocation of spectrum license, exemptions on use of spectrum, spectrum sharing, spectrum trading etc
My study is limited to the 900 MHz spectrum which is more efficient than 1800MHz already in use by various GSM Telcos and will this spectrum be taken away ? The telecom industry has been fixated on refarming of 900MHz spectrum and has therefore assumed the Spectrum Act and inclusion of refarming to imply a hit on the incumbents. However, Refarming is likely to be a broad policy for all the various spectrum bands and will not just focus on the 900MHz band.
Lets assume that some vested interests from Mumbai BUYs the DoT Bureaucreats and Minister of State for Telecom forcing them to go ahead with refarming of 900MHz spectrum. It will be practically impossible given the limited quantity of additional 1800MHz available, some of which will also need to be set aside for future requirement.
NOTE – Spectrum available as per NFAP will not necessarily mean it is available for allocation right away when you snatch the 900MHz spectrum. NFAP is a plan but implementation by getting from current occupants and allotting it is an uphill task.
Thus, I am of the opinion that there is a limited probability of it being implemented. The DoT may charge a higher price for this spectrum at the time of renewal.