DoT is also planning to carry out verification on operators' premises to check the technologies they employ.

The move gains importance as the GSM operators in the country were clamouring for additional frequency, while DoT wanted to ensure optimal and efficient use of allotted spectrum.

According to sources, DoT had written a letter to all GSM operators mandating spectrum-efficient techniques like synthesised frequency hopping, tighter frequency reuse plan, discontinuous transmission, in-building solutions and micro cells.

These are some of the technologies that can help optimise spectrum usage, a valuable natural resource that enables radio communication.

Apart from these, DoT has also sought use of technologies like antenna-hopping, adaptive multi-rate (a speech coding technology), software that helps in decongesting networks among others.

DoT has asked the operators to respond by Monday with details of the technology that they use. Moreover, it has asked the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO) to conduct random verification or sample checks. The WMO has to submit its report to DoT by October 1 this year.

Officials at DoT also stated that circle-wise random sample checks would be an integral part of the Telecom Engineering Centre's (TEC) clearance for all BTS deployments in the future.

Meanwhile on Friday, Reliance [Get Quote] Telecom Ltd (RTL) has dissociated itself from the GSM lobby's stance on spectrum, with company stating that there was no merit in the demand for additional spectrum.

Earlier during the week, the Cellular Operator's Association of India (COAI) had sent a legal notice to DoT, seeking release of requisite spectrum for the companies that were provided with licences.

The legal notice stated that the non-availability of spectrum was affecting both new licensees and also operators who had exceeded the subscriber linkages prescribed by the government. The waiting for spectrum extended up to three years in some cases and this was hampering the operators' plans to commence network rollout and expand services.

Moreover, this was also affecting the quality of services and creating financial problems for the companies.