New Delhi, Sept 28: Group of Ministers on telecom today agreed in principle to make 25 MHz additional spectrum for telecom service providers over the next three years, the move which would cost about Rs 900 crore to the government. The GoM, which met here under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, was attended by Defence Minister George Fernandes and I&B Minister R S Prasad.
Communication and IT Minister Arun Shourie and Law Minister Arun Jaitley could not attend the meeting as they were out of town.
"We have discussed the modalities on how to make the spectrum available for the telecom service providers," Prasad told reporters after the meeting adding Singh briefed Fernandes about the last meeting of GoM and the decision taken.
However, there was no discussion on other issues related to WLL limited mobile phones especially yesterday's TDSAT's ruling.
Prasad said that Ministry of Defence and Department of Telecommunication (DoT) would also work out ways to use the spectrum most efficiently and judiciously.
At present the Defence Ministry has given 35 MHz spectrum for telecom services and 25 MHz is additional requirement, sources said.
Highly placed sources said that Finance Minister has agreed to provide budgetary support to Defence Ministry for releasing the required spectrum.
Bureau Report