Shocking. How can you even compare the diligence of our noble servants of the people with that of the hardworking souls who have delivered us mobility and fashion tv and goodness knows what else?
We must all acknowledge the role played by these diligent souls. I would like to remind the list once again that, prior to the TRAI recommendations of 9 Dec, it held 'open house' discussions (in Delhi, naturally, is there any other India?) where I was solemnly informed by the WPC officer present that New York has as many as 72 FM channels because half of them broadcast underground, to the subway system. Even though Delhi now also has a subway system, this marvel of electronics has not yet found a home for FM, so the city must make do with just a few stations, mostly commercial, as those ignorant natives in the slums wouldn't know what to do with a station anyway. The rest of India also seems to stubbornly lack subway systems, or else WPC would have ensured by now that we had broadcast stations hanging from every tree. Vickram http://communicall.wordpress.com http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com > >From: sajan venniyoor <[email protected]> >To: CR India <[email protected]> >Sent: Wed, 16 February, 2011 9:32:07 >Subject: [cr-india] on spectrum allocation > > >It's instructive to look at the time-lines for issuing wireless licenses for >highly sensitive -- and potentially national-security threatening -- uses >like, >say, community radio on the one hand, and for inconsequential billion dollar >pan-India services like telecom on the other. > > >27 Oct 2003: TRAI releases recommendations for award of new UAS License >31 Oct 2003: Cabinet approves TRAI recommendations on UASL >12 Nov 2003: Tata applies for UASL licenses >24 Nov 2003: DoT approves Tatas' application >30 Jan 2004: Tata gets UAS License > > >Three months from start to finish. > > >19 August 2000: Deccan Development Society (DDS) applies for CR license >11 January 2002: DDS application turned down by govt. >9 Dec 2004: TRAI recommendations on Community Radio >16 Nov 2006: Cabinet approves TRAI recommendations on CR >9 July 2007 (approx): DDS application 'sent for clearance' >15 Oct 2008: DDS receives wireless license and starts broadcasting > > >Well, that was quick. Between 'sent for clearance' and issue of WoL, there's >usually a couple of years. > > >The recent Justice Shivraj Patil Committee Report on spectrum allocation and >licensing has some pretty caustic comments about the role of WPC in >steadfastly >looking the other way when decisions were made "in the matter of formulation >of >procedures involving criteria for allotment of spectrum and its pricing." >Naming >names, the report goes on to say that "it was the responsibility of Wireless >Advisor/WPC Wing to have reviewed spectrum utilization as also revised NFAP >every two years", which of course it didn't. Doesn't. Or doesn't let us know >if >it does. > > > >In his recommendations, Justice Patil says: > > >8.1.(xiv): There is a greater need for transparency about spectrum allocation >and assignment. As a first step, the DoT should put in public domain, >spectrum allocations made to various agencies with details of >quantum, geographical locations, technology employed etc. This information >should be widely advertised on website and should be regularly updated. > > >I wouldn't hold my breath. It is not for nothing that the Terms of Reference >in >the Govt OM setting up the one-man committee specifically calls upon Justice >Patil to suggest "remedial measures to avoid in future." > > >Sajan > > >The full report and annexures can be accessed >here: http://www.dot.gov.in/miscellaneous/OMC/OMC.htm >
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