'Available spectrum for mobile TV far below requirement'

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Tuesday said it could not put in place a regulatory framework for mobile TV service as the available spectrum for the service was far below requirement.

This was stated in Lok Sabha by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni in response to a question by MPs Sanjeev Ganesh Naik and Supriya Sule.

"The ministry could not put in place a regulatory framework for mobile TV service due to non availability of adequate spectrum in UHF Band V (585-698 MHz)," Soni said.

She said it had been estimated that at least 96 MHz spectrum would be required for Mobile TV services on a pan India basis.

"However, according to India Remark (IND 37) in the National Frequency allocation Plan 2011,

the requirement of spectrum for DD's digitalisation programme and Mobile TV services are to be met in the UHF Band V," she said.

Soni said Doordarshan had projected a requirement of 64 MHz within this band for its digitalisation programme.

"Therefore, the available spectrum for mobile TV services is far below the requirement," she said.

Soni also told the house that Doordarshan had been carrying out mobile television services as a pilot project in Delhi since 2007.

"Mobile TV signals can be received on DVB -H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld) enabled within a range of about 10 km from Akashvani Bhawan, Parliament street, New Delhi where the transmitter is located," Soni said.