The telecom operators, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India are likely to ask the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for an extension of their spectrum licences in the 900 MHz band in Delhi circle. Although their licences expired on November 29, 2014 in the Delhi circle, the operators are unwilling to return the spectrum held by them.

The telecom service providers are of the view that returning the spectrum would lead to disruption of services in the region and therefore, they require an extension of minimum 45 days to re-configure their networks to the newly allocated spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands in the Delhi circle. They have also cited the delay in the allocation of the spectrum won in the auctions of February 2014 as a reason for failure to switch over to the new spectrum.

Meanwhile, Idea Cellular agreed to let Bharti Airtel and Vodafone India use its spectrum in the 900 MHz band in the Delhi circle for 45 days till January 15, 2015. Sharing of Idea Cellular’s spectrum would allow some more time to the two operators to re-configure their networks in the circle to the newly allotted spectrum. However, any such arrangement requires DoT’s approval and the operators are still waiting for the permission to use Idea Cellular’s network from the telecom department.

Earlier, both the operators had requested DoT to provide an extension of six months to them to migrate from existing frequency airwaves to the new spectrum in 900 MHz band. However, DoT rejected the proposal on the grounds that the grant would mean extension of the licence and the present spectrum allocation guidelines do not allow for any such extension.