News Headline
TRAI’s one month deadline for resolving 30 questions on spectrum auctions
New Delhi, 27 November: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India wants to know whether the entire spectrum available with Department of Telecom in the 800 MHz band should be put for auction and how can the spectrum in the 800 MHz band, which is not proposed to be auctioned due to non-availability of inter-operator guard band, be utilized.
In a consultation paper on “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum in 700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500MHz Bands”, it wants to know what should be the block size in the 700 MHz band.
TRAI has sought comments to almost thirty questions in the paper by 21 December and counter-comments by 28 December and said no extra time would be given in view of the urgency of the issue.
It also seeks to know if there is any requirement to change the provisions of the latest NIA with respect to block size and minimum quantum of spectrum that a new entrant/existing licenses/expiry licensee is required to bid for in 800, 900, 1800 and 2100 MHz bands.
What should the block size in the 2300 MHz and 2500 bands be, the Regulator wants to know.
Considering the fact that one more sub-1 GHz band (i.e. 700 MHz band) is being put to auction, is there a need to modify the provisions of spectrum cap within a band and is there any need to specify a separate spectrum cap exclusively for the spectrum in 700 MHz band?, TRAI has asked.
Should a cap on the spectrum holding within all bands in sub-1 GHz frequencies be specified and should the existing provision of band specific cap (50 percent of total spectrum assigned in a band) be done away with, it has asked.
TRAI wants to know whether the 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands be treated as same band for the purpose of imposing intra-band Spectrum Cap.
In the auction held in March 2015, specific roll-out obligations were mandated for the successful bidders in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz spectrum bands.
Stakeholders are requested to suggest how the roll-out obligations be modified to enhance mobile coverage in the villages and whether there should be any roll out obligation for the existing service providers who are already operating their services in these bands.
In the auction held in 2010, specific roll-out obligations were mandated for the successful bidders in 2300 MHz spectrum band. Same were made applicable to the licensee having spectrum in 2500 MHz band. Stakeholders are requested to suggest whether the same roll-out obligations which were specified during the 2010 auctions for BWA spectrum be retained for the upcoming auctions in the 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands and should both these bands be treated as same band for the purpose of roll-out obligations.
TRAI has also asked if the ISP category ‘A’ licensee should be permitted to acquire the spectrum in 2300 and 2500 MHz bands or the same eligibility criteria that has been made applicable for other bands viz. 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz band should be made applicable for 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands as well.
Stakeholders are requested to comment on whether the guidelines for liberalisation of administratively allotted spectrum in 900 MHz band should be similar to what has been spelt out by the DoT for 800 and 1800 MHz band.
Can the prices revealed in the March 2015 auction for 800/900/1800/2100 MHz spectrum be taken as the value of spectrum in the respective band for the forthcoming auction in the individual LSA, it wants to know.
Should the value of the 2300 MHz spectrum be derived on the basis of the value of any other spectrum band using the technical efficiency factor and should the valuation of the 2500 MHz spectrum be equal to the valuation arrived at for the 2300 MHz spectrum, the Regulator has asked.
What should be the ratio adopted between the reserve price for the auction and the valuation of the spectrum in different spectrum bands and why. Should the realized prices in the recent March 2015 auction for 800/900/1800/2100 MHz spectrum bands be taken as the reserve price in respective spectrum bands for the forthcoming auction.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
