[cr-india] AIR demands more spectrum for setting up 385 new FM transmitters

[ram bhat]

It's interesting that there are three different systems of spectrum
allocation for three different sectors of FM

AIR - they seem to have 3 MHz reserved (100-103.7)
CR - Seems to be limited to 3 frequencies per license area/circle
Pvt FM - I think its one frequency per license area per entity? (not sure)

I don't think there is a standard on this, but perhaps we need to think
through whether we should be arguing for an allocation system in terms of
reserving the amount of spectrum, like AIR (say 5-7 MHz). Or are we better
off in terms of reserving the number of frequencies per license
area/circle?
Maybe worth doing some comparative studies on this point as well.

best,
Ram


On Tue, Jun 26, 2012 at 9:34 PM, sajan venniyoor <venniyoor at gmail.com>wrote:

> I don't get this. AIR owns a substantial chunk of the available FM
> frequencies, 100 MHz to 103.7 MHz being exclusively reserved for the state
> broadcaster. I can't do the math, but let's assume that some 7 - 8 FM
> channels can be packed into that band at, say, 400 kHz channel separation.
> So, unless AIR plans to set up all the 385 new FM transmitters in the same
> place, ha ha, what exactly is the problem? AIR doesn't have 7 FM channels
> even in a city like Delhi.
>
> Incidentally, private FM networks use the same frequency for all their
> stations, over 45 each in the case of Big FM (92.7 MHz) and Red FM (93.5
> MHz). So do most Community Radio stations, on 90.4 MHz., which is fine as
> long as you maintain a reasonable distance between two stations. Most AIR
> FM transmitters radiate 10 kW, but India is a pretty big country.
>
> I think AIR just hates to repeat a frequency. After having monopolized the
> spectrum for so long, it would be so déclassé.
>
> Sajan
>
> AIR gets under five MHz spectrum allocation for FM services<http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/air-gets-under-five-mhz-spectrum-allocation-for-fm-services>
> RadioandMusic.com | 25 Jun 2012
>
> NEW DELHI: All India Radio, which has a spectrum of just 4.7 MHz
> exclusively reserved for its FM services will need more spectrum for
> setting up 385 new FM transmitters in the country under the 12th Plan.
>
> Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources told Radioandmusic.com that
> only 100 to 103.7 was presently reserved exclusively for FM broadcasting
> services by AIR. The broadcaster would need the additional spectrum for
> increasing the FM coverage to 90 per cent population.
>
> At present, AIR FM reaches out to 41.43 per cent population and 29.18 per
> cent area. This is part of the total AIR coverage of 91.87 per cent area
> and 99.19 per cent population. Even prior to the 12th plan scheme, FM
> transmitters of varying capacities are being installed in 224 more places
> throughout the country by AIR, apart from forty MW transmitters. This will
> take the coverage to 38.75 per cent area and 53.53 per cent population
> including villages and hamlets.
>
> In contracts, 103.7 - 108 MHz and 91.5 MHz to 95 MHz are exclusively
> reserved for expansion of the private sector FM services in the country.
>
> Sources said that while 87 to 91.5 MHz and 95 to 100 MHz are shared
> between Fixed/Mobile and FM broadcasting services, Fixed/Mobile Services
> have priority over FM broadcasting services.
>
> Meanwhile, 531-1602 kHz (Medium Frequency) is an exclusive band for radio
> broadcasting according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
> AIR gets allocation for Medium Wave radio services. Furthermore, 3-26 MHz
> (High Frequency) is an exclusive band for radio broadcasting according to
> the ITU and AIR gets allocation for Short Wave radio services.
>
> In addition, AIR is also using the INSAT satellites for linking/feeding of
> programmes to various stations in the country through S-Band: 2550-2590 MHz
> (Transponder S-1); 2590-2630 MHz ((Transponder S-2); and C-Band : 4105-4145
> MHz.
>
> The sources said the assessment of spectrum requirement for broadcasting
> and radio is done by Wireless Planning Coordination Wing (WPC) of the
> Department of Telecom through a Committee under the chairmanship of
> Wireless Advisor while drawing up of National Frequency Allocation Plan.
> The NFAP 2011 is the latest frequency allocation plan.
>
>
> http://www.radioandmusic.com/content/editorial/news/air-gets-under-five-mhz-spectrum-allocation-for-fm-services
>
> Join the Community Radio Forum. For membership details, please go to
> www.crforum.in
>
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