The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of India has prepared an internal note on reverse spectrum allocation norms by giving new applicants for telecom licences preference in spectrum due to be released by the defence forces early 2008.
The current allocation norms give priority to incumbents awaiting for additional spectrum followed licence-holders who are awaiting spectrum to launch services, and applicants for dual-use technology (GSM and CDMA services). New licence applicants come last on this list. Now, the DoT Note proposes that three new operators should be allocated 4.4 Mhz of each of the 20 Mhz of spectrum that will be freed up by the defence services. The note also discuss about the sharing spectrum with other operators for the utilisation of spectrum.