Defence Ministry unlikely to vacate spectrum

New Delhi, Sept 24 (UNI) The Ministry of Defence is unlikely to vacate any spectrum and the chances of allocation of frequency for 2G services appear bleak.

''Defence does not have much spectrum and it is very difficult for it to vacate this in the near future,'' an official from the telecommunication ministry said here today on conditions of anonymity.

The 1,800 MHz and 900 MHz bandwidth are full currently and no spectrum can be expected in this, he said, adding ''the Delhi and Mumbai circles are already saturated''.

''We got spectrum for South India and we gave it to them (telecom operators). As and when we get fresh spectrum, we will allocate it,'' he said.

However, Telecom Minister A Raja has said the Department of Telecom (DoT) is in talks with the defence ministry for release of spectrum for civilian communication use.

DoT expects defence to release at least 25-30 MHz of spectrum for 3G services. It had originally demanded the defence ministry to release 45 MHz.

The defence ministry wants an alternate network for its three armed forces to release 45 MHz of spectrum for 2G and 3G services.

UNI SR SG CS1907