The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has finalised a 100 day agenda to boost investor confidence in the telecom sector under the new government led by the National Democratic Alliance.

The department plans to publish a roadmap for the auction of spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands within the timeframe providing investors adequate time to plan and strategise for spectrum auction which is scheduled for the latter part of 2014. Further, a decision on inter-circle mobile number portability (MNP) will be taken to enable mobile users to retain their number even if they move to another circle. The Telecom Commission has already given an in-principle approval to intra-circle MNP policy.

Other key issues to be reviewed include spectrum sharing by operators and cabinet approval for spectrum trading. In addition, the graded penalty system, introduced by former communications and IT minister, Kapil Sibal, will also be notified as part of DoT’s 100 day agenda. Further, the department is also focusing on ensuring availability of contiguous spectrum to operators - a move that is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of usage of the available spectrum and enhanced consumer experience.

DoT’s 100 day agenda also includes working on a host of issues highlighted by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Telecommunications and IT at the time of taking charge of the ministry. The minister has accorded high priority to providing broadband connectivity in 200,000 gram panchayats in the country by 2017. Accordingly, the department has committed itself to connect 1,000 gram panchayats with 100 Mbps bandwidth in the next 100 days through the national optical fibre network.

In addition, improving communications services in the northeast region is also a priority under the new government. Going forward, the department also plans to notify a communications plan for disaster management over the next three months.