TRCSL to provide better telecommunication network at lesser cost
COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken far reaching
measures for the clearance of very valuable spectrum bands to be used by
mobile and fixed line operators giving effect to a recent Cabinet
decision in respect of the policy to be adopted by the
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) in
vacating there bands by the incumbent occupants.
A media release issued by the TRCSL states that acting in accordance
with the directives issued by the President, the TRCSL would take the
necessary steps to clear the commercially viable radio frequencies and
bands and allocate to the public telecommunication services to provide a
better telecommunication network at a lesser cost on communications.
The release adds:
"President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken far reaching measures for the
clearance of very valuable spectrum bands to be used mainly by mobile
and fixed line operators.
This has been done by the Cabinet decision taken recently with regard
to the policy to be adopted by the Telecommunications
Regulatory Commission in vacating those bands by the incumbent
occupants. Specific measures have been recommended by the cabinet of
ministers on a recommendation of the President in his capacity as the
Minister in charge of the subject of TRC, for the optimum use of these
valuable spectrum bands.
This is of particular significance in the light of TRC offering
spectrum for 3 G roll out last week. The International
Telecommunications Union has identified the radio frequency bands,
450MHz, 1800MHz, and 2GHz as the most economical, efficient and
technically suitable frequency bands for the expansion of cellular
mobile services and for the deployment of 3rd generation services.
This fact has given an exceptional value for these bands all over the
world and the operators are eager to acquire spectrum on these bands at
a substantial cost.
The radio frequency bands 450MHz, 1800MHz and 2GHz have been
allocated for various types of telecommunication applications since
1980's and early 1990's depending on the requirement at that time.
With the maturity of mobile technology during recent years, pressing
demand for these bands have arisen for the expansion/introduction of
mobile services.
The TRCSL has allocated the 1800MHz band for non-mobile telephony
related transmissions called fixed services in early 1990's. Several
Government and non-Government operators are using this band for
point-to-point transmissions for fixed and broadcasting services.
With the rapid expansion of mobile services, spectrum congestion
became a severe issue and the TRCSL identified the 1800MHz band as the
most suitable and the only band to resolve the issue as the incumbents
of the band could be accommodated in alternative bands.
The TRCSL has allocated a part of the 1800MHz band for mobile
expansion while taking measures to relocate the incumbents in different
frequency bands.
Current GSM networks operating in the 900/1800MHz bands can only
cater for voice and low speed data transmissions but not broadband
services.
Upgrading to broadband services lies in the 3G systems, which will be
operating in the 2GHz band and will be able to deliver enhanced
multimedia, high speed internet and high resolution video services.
Similar to 1800MHz band, the 2GHz was allocated to non-mobile
telephony transmissions earlier and presently have identified the
suitability of the band for the deployment of public telecommunication
services.
Radio frequency spectrum being one of the most valuable natural
resources, a national asset, the state is entitled to derive its full
operational value for the benefit of the public.
In the above context, the President has directed the
Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka to take necessary
steps to clear the commercially viable radio frequency bands and to
allocate to the public telecommunications services for the benefit of
the general public in Sri Lanka.
The end result would be a better telecommunication network and lesser
costs on communications. |