2G effect? Draft telecom policy promises transparency

The draft promises to strengthen the institutional,legal and regulatory framework and processes to bring in more efficiency,timely decision-making and transparency.

The NTP 1999 had talked of a need for a transparent process of allocation of frequency spectrum that would be effective and efficient. DoT officials and former telecom minister A Raja have maintained that there were no lapses in following the norms.

The draft NTP 2011 recommends that DoT be restructured to separate its policymaking function from licensing powers and advocates that regular spectrum audits be carried out,with a Spectrum Roadmap outlined for the next five years to free adequate bandwidth for new technologies.

The NTP 2011 would formulate a new comprehensive and integrated Spectrum Act which will put in place a statutory mechanism for spectrum management and licensing.