Chapter 2   

Current spectrum availability and requirement 

2.0 Introduction 

The issue of sufficient spectrum availability for mobile services is central to 

the growth of these services in the country.  This leads to the need to examine 

two aspects.  Is the spectrum being utilised efficiently and even with the 

efficient utilisation of spectrum, is the total available spectrum adequate to 

meet the requirement.  The aspect of efficient utilisation of spectrum is 

discussed in detail in chapter 3.  In this chapter, we examine the available 

spectrum, their service specific and non service specific aspects as also 

technology specific and non technology specific allocation possibilities, the 

likely spectrum requirement in future even with maximised spectrum utilisation 

for a given grade and quality of service.          

2.1 

Spectrum for 2G and 2.5G Services 

The bands recognised for providing the 2

nd

 / 2.5 Generation mobile services 

internationally and in India are given below:  

Table 2.1: Spectrum allocations for 2 / 2.5 G cellular mobile services 

International allocations* 

Indian allocation 

824   844 paired with 869   

824   849 MHz paired with 

800 MHz 

889 MHz 

869  894 MHz 

(Used to provide WLL (M) & CDMA 

based mobile services)

890   915 MHz paired with 

935   960 MHz 

890   915 paired with 935  

900 MHz 

(880   890 MHz paired with 

960 MHz** 

925   935 MHz 

(Used by 1

st

, 2

nd

 and 3

rd

 Cellular 

Mobile Service Providers for GSM)

E GSM band

) 

1710   1785 paired with 1805 

1710   1785 MHz paired 

  1880 MHz

1800 MHz 

with 1805   1880 MHz 

(Used by 4

th

 CMSP and for 

additional allocations to 1

st

, 2

nd

 and 

3

rd

 CMSPs.)

1850   1910 MHz paired 

1880 1900 MHz is 

1900 MHz  with 1930   1990 MHz 

(North 

earmarked for Micro cellular 

American PCS band)

technologies based on TDD 

* SOURCE: ITU R Recommendation M.1073 1 & NFAP 2002. 

The above table does not reflect 

allocations where these technologies co exist. The bands of operation for Cellular Mobile 

Services for GSM & CDMA worldwide are placed at Annexure A. 

** Out of 2 X 25 MHz, 2 X 1.6 MHz is with the Railways

2.2 

Possible use of 450 MHz and 1700 MHz bands 

It may be noted that the present policy on spectrum use is technology neutral 

but equipment availability and the accruing economies of scale also govern 

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