DoT considering spectrum re-allocation to Jio to prevent interference with Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope: Report

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is considering allocating a higher frequency to Reliance Jio after it was found that the telco’s operations in the 850-950MHz spectrum range in the Junnar taluka of Pune was creating interference with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), the world’s largest radio telescope in the low-radio frequency range, Indian Express reported.

The DoT had erroneously awarded airwaves in the 850-950MHz range to Jio in 2016 for operations in Maharashtra.

However, this coincided with the GMRT’s frequency operation range (100MHz to 1500MHz) after which scientists from the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) raised the issue with the Ministry of Communications in early 2018.