Prasar Bharati opposes allotment of broadcasting spectrum to telcos

Prasar Bharati has raised objections for the broadcasting spectrum in the sub-600 MHz band to be allocated to telecom services. This comes at a time when the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is working to update the national frequency allocation plan (NFAP).

The pubcaster says that the spectrum band, in 470-582 MHz is used for terrestrial television (TV) broadcasting and the frequency is used by TV transmitters, as per a FE report.

In its note to DoT, it added that since it is planning to roll out new-age Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) services across India, a lack of sufficient spectrum could hinder the expansion of these services.

It is to be noted that the government is in the final stages of starting a pilot in 19 cities to test D2M technology that enables content or live TV to be broadcast on mobile devices without an internet connection.

Prasar Bharati added in its note, “Several DTT transmitters may be required to be installed in this band to provide pan-India digital terrestrial broadcasting. The quantum of spectrum required for DTT services will primarily depend on the appropriate DTT architecture chosen for its expansion.”

The proposed D2M network operates in the sub-GHz band (526MHz – 582MHz), the band which currently used by Prasar Bharati, along with many analogue and digital terrestrial TV transmitters.

However, telcos including the operator body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) which represents Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, has said spectrum allocation, network integration, and regulatory and cost arbitrage for D2M need to be re-evaluated.

“Building a dedicated D2M network by earmarking spectrum specifically for the broadcasting infrastructure providing competing/complementary services would lead to a breach of the level playing field”, it has said.

“The spectrum envisaged for D2M Service should be allocated to the service providers to use broadcasting capabilities (D2M) as per the market requirements on the spectrum assigned through auctions. It must be noted that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had recommended refarming of existing usage in this band so that it can be made available for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and has commercial value,” COAI Director General S.P. Kochhar said.

Spectrum from 470 to 526 MHz is alloted for Doordarshan and government agencies like defence, 526 to 582 MHz is for Doordarshan in co-existence with mobile telecom services, and 582 to 612 MHz is for mobile telecom services and rural backhaul connectivity.

According NFAP 2022, no new broadcasting services should be assigned within the 470-582 MHz range.

However, Prasar Bharati has requested the DoT to remove the 470-582 MHz band from the list of frequencies identified for telecom services.
If accepted, telecom operators would not be able to use this spectrum band for future services, as it would not be made available for auction.