for expansion of GSM and CDMA systems is 1800 MHz / 1900 MHz. Other 

Government users are presently occupying a large part of these bands and 

refarming of this spectrum is a continuous but long drawn process. It, thereby, 

increases the pressure on the existing spectrum and necessitates most 

efficient utilisation by all. In areas, where the amount of available spectrum at 

the time of demand exceeds supply, some criteria would need to be applied 

for allocation. These could be technical, economic or techno economic. In 

parallel, efforts would have to be made by the Government to accelerate the 

process of refarming. 

1.2 Context 

of 

Recommendations 

The Government has sought the TRAI's recommendations on the following 

a)  Efficient utilisation of Spectrum 

b)  Spectrum allocation procedure 

c) Spectrum Pricing 

Together with these three, the TRAI is also examining a policy on spectrum 

surrender and `re farming' (surrender & re allocation). 

1.3 

Structure of the Consultation Paper 

The paper is divided in seven chapters. The first two focus on the current 

status of spectrum award, spectrum pricing, likely demand and spectrum 

allocations. The third chapter discusses the technical issues linked with 

spectrum efficiency. Spectrum Pricing related issues are mentioned in 

Chapter Four. Using the technical and economic aspects, issues pertaining to 

spectrum allocations are available in Chapter Five. Chapter Six deals with Re 

farming, Trading, Mergers & Acquisition and Spectrum surrender issues.  The 

issues for consultation are summarized in Chapter Seven. 

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