DoT considering spectrum swapping to save GMRT from Reliance Jio’s signal interference

The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has admitted that the current operations of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) within the 850-950 Megahertz (MHz) spectrum around Junnar taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra needs to be shifted out and re-allocated a higher frequency.

This decision comes in the wake of fresh findings, confirming signals generated by RJIL towers in this region’s periphery were creating significant interference in the smooth operations of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), the world’s largest radio telescope in low-radio frequency.

During the spectrum auction and allocation in 2016, the DoT had incorrectly awarded the 850-950 MHz spectrum to RJIL for its operations in Maharashtra, as first reported by The Indian Express on August 27, 2021.