The Department of Telecommunications will provide a Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion) alternative Optic Fibre Cable-based network, including satellite and radio connectivity, for defence communications in order to enable the armed forces to release spectrum for commercial services.
This is the first concrete step by the DoT to get the defence forces to vacate spectrum for commercial use. DoT sources said work on the project was slated to begin in April 2006 and would be completed in three years. The project cost is based on estimates at this stage and was likely to see a significant increase when work got under way.
DoT officials said the Project Definition Team, comprising both department of telecom and defence officials to look into the issue of the forces vacating spectrum, also favoured this plan of an alternative network for defence as a long-term solution.
This plan, when implemented, would lead to significant amounts of wireless links between fixed locations used by the defence forces being replaced by OFC to save spectrum.
More importantly, the DoT can also set aside a proportion of the over Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) financial compensation that is due to the defence ministry for setting up OFC links, the sources added.
The cost of this alternative network is to be borne by the DoT, while the installation and commission would be undertaken by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. After the network is ready, its operation and maintenance would be the responsibility of the defence forces, the DoT sources added.
When contacted, BSNL executives confirmed that the DoT had briefed them on this plan during a recent meeting, but added that a decision on the issue would be taken only after the Project Definition team submitted its report.
At present, the defence forces occupy 4.8+4.8 Mhz in the 890-915/935-960 Mhz band, 60+60Mhz in the metros and 65+65 Mhz in other areas in the 1710-1785/1805-1880 Mhz band and 60+60 Mhz in the 1920-1980/2110-2170 Mhz band.Do you want to discuss stock tips? Do you know a hot one? Join the Stock Market Investments Discussion Group
