The Indian government has revealed plans to complete a spectrum harmonization process by the end of the year to help free up more 3G spectrum.
The harmonization process is expected to free up 15 MHz of 2100-MHz spectrum that can be allocated during an auction next year, the Economic Times reported.
As part of the process Indian cabinet has approved allocating a dedicated defense band for use by security forces. Defence will swap 15 MHz of its current allocation of 2100-MHz spectrum with 15 MHz of spectrum in the 1900-MHz band.
The move is expected to free up significant additional spectrum to allocate to areas including telecom and broadcasting, while also improving spectral efficiency.
As part of the auction, the Department of Telecom is evaluating allocating spectrum in the 700-MHz, 8000MHz, 900-MHz, 1800-MHz, 2100-MHz and 2300-MHz bands that can be used to provide 2G, 3G or 4G services, the report states.
It adds that the Indian government expects to raise 428.65 billion rupees ($6.45 billion) from the telecom sector next year, from sources including the planned auction and levies owed by operators.