DoT willing to give 5 MHz from premium band to Railways, but for a price

The Department of Telecommunications has agreed to give 5 MHz from the premium 700 MHz band to Indian Railways for signaling purposes. The department wants the Railways to use these airwaves for non-commercial purposes and meet its remaining requirement through the delicensed spectrum.

In its response to the Cabinet note by the Ministry of Railways, DOT said 5MHz spectrum of the 700 MHz spectrum band can be given to the Railways at a price decided by the Ministry of Finance.

“We have said that we have no objection in the finance ministry fixing the price for railways as the money will eventually go to the consolidated fund of India,” an official told Business Standard.