Prasar Bharti objects to sub-600 MHz band allocation for telecom

At a time when the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is working to update the national frequency allocation plan (NFAP), Prasar Bharati has proposed that broadcasting spectrum in the sub-600 MHz band should not be allocated to telecom services, according to sources.

In a note to DoT, the public service broadcaster said the spectrum band, especially in 470-582 MHz, is used for terrestrial television (TV) broadcasting and the frequency is used by TV transmitters. With Prasar Bharati planning to roll out new-age Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) services across India, a lack of sufficient spectrum could hinder the expansion of these services, the note said.

Once implemented, D2M services will allow television and video content to be streamed directly to mobile phones without requiring an internet connection. Consumers will be able to choose between internet streaming and D2M for viewing live television on their mobile devices.

“Several DTT transmitters may be required to be installed in this band to provide pan-India digital terrestrial broadcasting. The quantum of spectrum required for DTT services will primarily depend on the appropriate DTT architecture chosen for its expansion,” Prasar Bharati stated in its note.

The issue between Prasar Bharati and telcos is related to the fact that in the NFAP 2022, spectrum from 470 to 526 MHz is alloted for Doordarshan and government agencies like defence, 526 to 582 MHz is for Doordarshan in co-existence with mobile telecom services, and 582 to 612 MHz is for mobile telecom services and rural backhaul connectivity.

Footnote IND 16 of the NFAP 2022, however, states that no new broadcasting services should be assigned within the 470-582 MHz range.

In its new proposal, Prasar Bharati has requested the DoT to remove the 470-582 MHz band from the list of frequencies identified for telecom services and to delete footnote IND 16. If accepted, telecom operators would not be able to use this spectrum band for future services, as it would not be made available for auction.

Experts note that globally the band is used for broadcasting, and its reallocation may not significantly impact telecom operators if they are granted access to the 600 MHz spectrum for 5G services, a range currently under study to ensure it does not interfere with satellite services.

Officials noted that discussions are ongoing to harmonise the 612 MHz and above frequencies for telecom services in line with international practices.

Telecom operators, however, oppose D2M services, arguing that these services would directly compete with them without alleviating network congestion. “Instead, they are direct replacements for TSP services. Also, free spectrum allotted by the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) gives an unfair advantage over current service providers,” telecom representatives had previously stated to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Telcos argue that spectrum in the 526-582 MHz band holds significant potential for mobile coverage, particularly in rural and remote areas and inside buildings. They advocate for this spectrum to be auctioned exclusively for telecom use, applying the same service rules to avoid creating regulatory arbitrage against mobile operators.

In response, Prasar Bharati has pointed out that International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations prohibit the use of any part of the 470-698 MHz broadcasting spectrum for mobile telecom services. TRAI had also previously recommended against auctioning any part of this band.

NFAP outlines the spectrum band allocation for different services such as cellular mobile service, Wi-Fi, television broadcasting, satellites, radionavigation for aircraft and ships, defence and security communications, emergency communications, etc. A periodic review is done to include new spectrum bands, tweak the allotted bands for other services if required, and reflect the changes on the spectrum allocation in some bands and services as per the telecom Act. The last review was done in 2022. The new revised frequency allocation plan is expected to come in six months, officials said. Financial Express