DoT sets aside proposal to make 25 MHz paired spectrum in 900 MHz band exclusive for TSPs among others

The Working Group (WG)-1 assigned to revise/review the National Frequency Allocation Plan 2018 (NFAP) for frequency bands upto 1 GHz has set aside proposals from multiple entities. The committee received 10 contributions for updating NFAP-18 from COAI, Qualcomm, Airtel, BIF, RJIL, Amateur(NAIR), TIFR, PMRTS Associations, DGCA, and Mr RB Sahajpal.

DGCA proposed 50-100 MHz de-licensed spectrum in the 750-950 MHz band for Drone operations for IoT, Command & Control, Closed Network Security Cameras, Long Range Internet etc. DoT noted that such a big chunk of spectrum may not available for extraction in the said band for delicensing as existing assignments in the spectrum band would not make it feasible for extraction un-licensed spectrum in the band.

Qualcomm and BIF proposed making 25 MHz paired spectrum in the 900 MHz band exclusive for TSPs that would lead to shift in existing operations of Defense and Railways to other frequency bands. DoT kept aside the proposal suggesting long term coordination of the stakeholders with WPC HQ.

Amatuer (NAIR) proposed expansion to “1800-2000 kHz, 3700-3890 kHz, 10100-10150 kHz, 52-54 MHz,146-148 MHz” bands in IND 26 that was not considered by DoT due to existing assignments in the bands. DoT however noted that operational difficulties and inconsistencies faced by amateur operation viz-a-viz international amateurs for adopting different emissions can be taken up with COP wing of WPC.

BIF and COAI suggested inductive application in the band 9KHz to 30 MHz Maximum 250nW (-36 dBm) to enable innovations and technology expansion in field of short-range low power inductive wireless charging. DoT noted that the feasibility of identifying the different sub-bands in 9KHz to 30 MHz for the generic purpose as defined in the ETSI document need to be examined by the WPC and the GSR 1047 accordingly can be updated.

The committee has taken the inputs in the draft revised NFAP proposal that will be further deliberated in the virtual meeting scheduled on Friday.