Patil panel opposes FCFS, calls for transparency in allocation

New Delhi, Feb 10 (PTI) The one-man committee that wentinto allocation of spectrum from 2001 to 2009 has come downheavily on the controversial First-Come, First-Serve (FCFS)policy in entertaining applications and has sought completetransparency in spectrum allocation and assignment.

In its 143-page report, the committee headed by retiredJustice Shivraj Patil, has also said there is a need for acomprehensive new legislation for the telecom sector like inother countries.

The legislation on the lines of "Radio CommunicationsAct" like in Australia and New Zealand should have objectivesrelating to spectrum management including setting up of anindependent level spectrum authority, promting competition andmaximising release of spectrum to society.

"Whenever a contract is to be awarded or a licence is tobe granted, there must obe objectivity in the procedures forselection. It must be in tune with the requirements of law,statutory norms and prevailing policies of the government.

"Such procedures must also be reasonable, fair,transparent and certain. The selection of applicants must beby choice and not by chance," the committee said.

FCFS basis is not justified when there are severalapplicants, there is competition and the resource is scarce.

Merely on the basis that an applicant approached earlier byitself cannot be the basis for selection, it added. MORE PRSSKB