Spectrum policy to be announced by year-end: Raja

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) Communication Minister Andimuthu Raja today said the much-awaited spectrum policy will be announced by the end of this year.

''In a couple of months, the spectrum policy will be ready,'' Mr Raja told reporters here.

On number portability, he said the government will consult telecom operators to explore the possibility of introducing a facility wherein customers can retain their mobile numbers even after changing the service provider.

''Recommendations given by TRAI are being considered,'' he added The Minister said the response from the Defence Minister A K Anthony has been appreciative and hoped the Defence Ministry might release some spectrum in the next couple of months.

Mr Raja said the Ministry needs at least 35 MHz of radio waves from defence forces to release it among operators.

''Some internal technical assessment is being done by both the ministries to find the spectrum bands that are not in use for a long time. Once the assessment is over, we will come out with a paper and place it before the Group of Ministers,'' he said.

It will enable the GoM to look at the vacation of spectrum in a broad way, the Minister added.

The quantum of spectrum is for both 2G and 3G or advanced mobile data and voice service.

The Defence Ministry wants alternate networks for Army and Navy to be in place first before releasing any spectrum.

UNI