Industry urges early finalisation of spectrum policy

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Industry chamber Assocham today sought early finalisation of policy, relating to allocation of broadband wireless access spectrum to help industry add more subscriber base and enhance the existing teledensity.

In a communication addressed to DoT and Communication Ministry by the Assocham President Venugopal N Dhoot, it has been stated that spectrum finalisation has already taken a great deal of time and if further delayed, it is going to jeopardise prospects of broadband and telecom services.

He added that inter-ministerial consultation between Ministries of Defence, Home, Telecom and other relevant department should now be concluded logically so that the government gradually moves out of spectrum monopoly and industry gets fair chance to compete in healthy manner and widen the existing subscriber base for the benefit of common masses.

The communication also points out that the Indian broadband services market is still at nascent stage as by end of 2006-07, the subscriber base had not exceeded beyond 2.5 million with a household penetration of around one per cent.

The current subscriber base is way off from the target of nine million and 20 million by the year-end and 2010 particularly as spectrum allocation still remains the government monopoly and the telecom sector is already reeling under cut-throat competition.

According to estimates by the chamber, gap between target and achievement to accomplish broadband penetration in India will go over 10 million by 2010, until per PC availability at cheaper price with adequate infrastructure is made available to rural folk to connect them with urban and semi-urban population.

UNI