(Image Credit: iStockPhoto/evirgen)
A group representing India’s largest mobile operators, the Broadband India Forum (BIF), is challenging Microsoft’s proposal to use unused TV “white space” spectrum to provide low-cost rural broadband to roughly 5,000 villages across the country.
The forum has formally raised the issue with India’s telecommunications secretary, Rakesh Garg, urging that the frequencies be allocated through public auction rather than being granted free to Microsoft. Broadcast spectrum in the TV UHF band—generally in the 470–698 MHz range—is highly valued for its superior propagation characteristics, which make it especially useful for both in-building coverage and wide-area rural connectivity.
In a letter to Garg, the BIF stated: “Since TV UHF spectrum has excellent propagation characteristics, making it ideal for both in-building data services and rural coverage, it must be auctioned, given the limited amount of spectrum available for mobile services in the conventional 800, 900, 1800, 2100 MHz bands.”
Last month, reports described a small device called “Pruthvi” that leverages white space to deliver internet to homes that can receive TV signals but lack fixed-line broadband. While it is not confirmed that Microsoft would use this particular technology, the company has reportedly been in discussions with the device’s manufacturer about trialing the solution in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh.
However, the BIF president rejected the notion of using “genuine TV white space,” arguing that it does not exist in India. Instead, he noted that because India effectively has only one terrestrial TV broadcaster, large portions of the UHF band remain unused and constitute a valuable national resource.
The BIF maintains that TV UHF spectrum should be made available to any interested parties through an open auction. While Microsoft has run successful white space trials elsewhere, it has not publicly confirmed whether it would participate in a commercial auction to acquire spectrum rights in India.
The forum also warned Secretary Garg that permitting unlicensed operators to offer communication and broadband services over white space could conflict with the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, which requires licensing for uses involving voice and data communication.
Broadband India Forum’s membership includes major telecom and technology companies such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Vodafone, Qualcomm, Ericsson, Intel, Marvell, UTStarcom, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam.
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