Archive · 15 Jan 2026
India's 20k-crore emergency plan faces spectrum dispute
India wants to build better emergency response networks costing ₹20,000 crore.
The police and disaster teams want to use the 700 MHz spectrum because it works well for wide coverage.
But the telecom department says this spectrum is already taken.
They suggest using the 800 MHz band instead, but that might take more time.
Other countries like the US and South Korea use similar spectrum for their emergency networks.
The project has been slow since 2018, and the government is still deciding how to move forward.
India's ₹20,000-crore emergency response modernization faces spectrum allocation dispute
Home Ministry wants 700 MHz band for public safety networks, but DoT says it's already allocated
Alternative 800 MHz band proposed but requires vacating existing users
Global trend shows 700/800 MHz bands used for public safety networks in US, South Korea, Europe
Project delayed since 2018 Trai recommendation for nationwide broadband PPDR network
- Who
- Indian government (Home Ministry vs. Department of Telecommunications)
- What
- Dispute over 700 MHz spectrum for emergency response networks
- When
- Ongoing, with 2018 as starting point for recommendations
- Where
- India
- Why
- Need to modernize fragmented, analog emergency communication systems
- Project Cost
- ₹20,000 crore
- Disputed Spectrum Band
- 700 MHz
- Requested Spectrum
- 10 MHz
- Alternative Band
- 800 MHz
- Global Precedent
- US, South Korea, Europe use 700/800 MHz for public safety
- Project Timeline
- Slow progress since 2018 recommendation
- Consultants Shortlisted
- EY, TCIL, ITI Ltd (fresh bids to be invited)