As per Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Ministry of Defence and Department of Telecommunication (DOT) on 22nd May 2009, Ministry of Defence has released (10+10) MHz spectrum for 2G and 20 MHz for 3G. The auction of 3G spectrum has already been completed in 2010. Auction of 2G spectrum was held in November 2012 and further auction of 2G spectrum is scheduled in March 2013.
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) in its meeting held on 3rd December 2009 approved the following:
i. Setting up of an alternate exclusive, dedicated Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) based communication for Defence services for release of spectrum
ii. Financial approval of Rs 9175.16 Crore ( Rs 1077.16 Crore for Air Force and Rs 8098.00 Crore for Army & Navy) for laying of an alternate communication network for Defence services in the period of 36 months and approved budgeting of same in budget of DoT.
iii. The assets created will belong to DoT during currency of project and after the completion of project these assets will be transferred to Ministry of Defence as book transfer.
Further, the CCI, in its meeting held on 3rd July 2012, has given the financial approval of Rs 5236 crore over and above Rs 8098 crore, already approved by CCI on 3.12.2009, for laying of alternate communication network in a period of 36 months.
This information was given by Shri Milind Deora, Minister of State for C&IT in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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