Frequency
Management or CDMA based mobile telephone service and Spectrum charges
(R. J. S. Kushwaha
, joint wireless adviser to the government of India)
1. Spectrum
issues for CDMA based systems:
1.1 In accordance with the National
Frequency Allocation Plan, 2002 (N. F. A. P. -- 2002), the frequency bands
824-844 MHz paired with 869-889 MHz have been earmarked for WLL systems. These bands have now been allowed to
implement CDMA based mobile telephone service under Unified Access Service
License (UASL). Nevertheless,
coordination of frequency for such application is to be done on case-by-case
basis to ensure protection to existing users.
Further, NFAP -- 2002 also stipulates that requirements of micro
cellular WLL systems based on TDD access techniques, especially indigenously
developed technologies, capable of coexistence with multiple operators will be
considered in the frequency band 1880-1900 MHz on a case-by-case basis.
1.2 Frequency assignments for
implementation of basic services (CDMA based mobile telephone service) have
been made to several service providers, viz., BSNL, MTNL, M/s Reliance Infocom
Ltd, M/s Tata Teleservices, M/s Bharti Telenet, M/s Shyam telelink, M/s HFCL
Infotel, etc. these assignments have been made in 800 MHz/1880-1900 MHz bands
for wireless access and also in the microwave frequency bands for
point-to-point links.
1.3 Under UASL regime, subject to
availability and as per guidelines issued from time to time, the following what
a life of frequency and marking to UASL operators:
v
Frequencies will
be assigned from within the bands earmarked in National Frequency Allocation
Plan for such application and in coordination with existing users.
v
Initially
accumulated maximum of up to 4.4MHz + 4.4MHz will be earmarked in that TDMA
based systems or a maximum of 2.5MHz + 2.5MHz in cases of CDMA based systems on
case-by-case basis and subject to availability of frequencies. The frequencies May not be continuous and
may not be same in all cases or within the whole service area.
v
Additional Spectrum
beyond the above the stipulation may also be considered for allocation after
insuring optimal and efficient utilisation of the already allocated Spectrum
taking into account all types of traffic and guidelines/criteria prescribed
from time to time.
v
However, Spectrum
not more than 5 + 5 MHz in respect of CDMA systems or 6.2 + 6.2 MHz in respect
of TDMA based systems will be allowed to any UASL operator.
v
In the event, a
dedicated carrier for micro cellular architecture based systems (in other words
Cor-DECT-based networks) is assign the in 1880-1900 MHz band, the Spectrum not
more than 3.75 + 3.75MHz in respect of CDMA based systems or 4.4 + 4.4MHz in
respect of TDMA based systems will be permitted to any UASL operator.
2. Spectrum
charges for use of frequencies for CDMA based networks:
2.1 the revenue share of 2% of Adjusted
Gross Revenue (AGR) earned from wireless subscribers shall be levied as
Spectrum charges for use of wireless access frequencies (in both the bands i.e.
824-844MHz paired with 869-889 MHz and 1880-1900MHz) in the complete service
area (not city wise) for wireless access system. This will include the royalty for Spectrum upto 5+5 MHz as well
as the license fee for base stations and subscriber terminals (handheld or
fixed). This is effective from 25
January 2001.
2.2 The government has decided that Spectrum
charges for the GSM based systems and CDMA based systems will be same. Accordingly, proposal is under consideration
to Lady Spectrum charges as 3% of AGR for Spectrum beyond 5+5 MHZ and upto
6.25+6.25MHz and 4% of AGR for Spectrum beyond 6.25+ 6.25MHz and upto 10+10MHz
or CDMA based systems. It may be noted
that Spectrum charge for the GSM based systems is already being levied on above
pattern.
2.3 In light of permission by government
entrance Circle merger and acquisition, Spectrum charges for wireless access
Spectrum beyond 10+10 MHz and upto 15+15 MHz have been decided. The charges for Spectrum beyond 10 MHz for
mobile services in 900MHz, 1800MHz bands or any other band, would be as below:
v
For additional
Spectrum of 2.5MHz or part thereof, beyond 10 + 10MHz, if assigned (GSM or
CDMA/ Cor-DECT based) in metro/the telecom circles, an additional charge of 1%
of AGR will be levied. Thus, the total
Spectrum charges to be paid by such operators would be 5 % of AGR earned from
wireless access subscribers.
v
Further,
additional Spectrum of 2.5MHz or part thereof, beyond 12.5+ 12.5MHz, if
assigned (GSM or CDMA/ Cor-DECT based) in metro/the telecom circles, an
additional charge of 1% of AGR will be levied.
Thus, the total Spectrum charges to be paid by such operators would be
6% of AGR earned from wireless access subscribers.
3. Spectrum
charges for microwave links (access, backbone, etc):
3.1 Spectrum charges for microwave
point-to-point and points to multipoint links for CDMA based systems are being
levied as per orders No.R-11014/4/87-LR (Pt) dated 20 July 1995 and
No.R-11014/26/2002-LR/1452 dated 01.4.2003.
3.2 These orders stipulate specific for
mothers for calculating Spectrum royalty and license fee, which are based on
constant multiplier, distance, bandwidth, number of channels, number of
wireless stations, etc. It would be
pertinent to note that Spectrum charges for microwave frequencies in respect of
GSM based systems are based on revenue sharing.