Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Telecommunications
WPC Wing, 6th Floor, Sanchar Bhavan, New Delhi
(SACFA Secretariat)
No.: K-16011/01/2012-CFA Dated: 08/01/2013
Subject: - Minutes of meeting held at Conference Hall, Sanchar Bhawan on 27.12.2012 with representatives of AUSPI and COAI to discuss SACFA and various other WPC Wing related issues – regarding.
Please find enclosed above minutes.
-SD-
(DEV RAJ)
Engineer (SACFA)
For Deputy Wireless Adviser
to the Government of India
Telephone: 23752490
FAX: 23716111
To,
- Sr. PPS to Member (T).
- PPS to Wireless Adviser.
- PS to Joint Wireless Adviser.
- Director, WMO, E-Wing, 2nd Floor, Pushpa Bhawan, New Delhi-110062.
- All DWA’s WPC Wing.
- All SACFA Members (AAI, JCES/IAF/Indian Navy/Indian Army & DCPW).
- The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), 14, Bhai Veer Singh Marg,
New Delhi-01.
- Association of Unified Telecom service Providers of India, (AUSPI), B-601, Gauri
Sadan,5, Hailey Road, New Delhi-01.
9. WPC Website.
- Minutes of the meeting held on 27.12.2012in Conference Hall, DoT Sanchar Bhavan, New Delhi.
A meeting was held on 27/12/2012 in Conference Hall, Sanchar Bhavan, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Member (T), DoT, Ministry of Communications & IT, Government of India with representatives from Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI) and SACFA Members (JCES, AAI and DCPW) to discuss the issues raised by COAI/AUSPI regarding SACFA Clearances and other WPC related issues. The meeting discussed the following Agenda Items:
A. SACFA Issues:
- Proposal of AAI for new separate on-line system(NOCAS) for issuing NOC in respect of Sitting Clearance
- Rejection of SACFA cleared sites by AAI/Defence
- Delay in issuing SACFA final clearances/WPC Acceptance Number
B. Issue of grant of Wireless Operating Licenses to Service Providers
C. Interference to Cellular Networks
D. Any other points with the permission of the Chair
D.1 Availability of WPC Server
D.2Revalidation of SACFA sites/clearances to new entrants in the recently concluded 2G spectrum
auctions
The list of participants is enclosed at Annexure-I.
Chairman welcomed all the participants and the issues were discussed as per agenda items.
Agenda Item No. A. SACFA Issues:
A.1: Proposal of AAI for new separate on-lineSystem (NOCAS) for issuing NOC in respect ofSiting Clearances:
(i) The requirement of separate application, including separate on-line NOCAS filing, by AAI was discussed by the meeting in detail. The representatives from COAI disputed the above parallel system of siting applications by AAI on various grounds such as duplication of efforts, separate requirement of documentation including fees etc. They also argued that introduction of parallelon line system will adversely affect the expeditious clearance of telecom towers which is expected of a centralized SACFA clearance system in which various SACFA members can work upon and provide their comments on-line.
It was proposed by the participants that AAI should explore the possibility of automatic transfer of SACFA applications data to their NOCAS system and vice-versa.
The representatives from AAI mentioned that they will take 1-2 months to revert/submit their detailed analysis/ proposal regarding auto transfer of on-line SACFA applications data to their NOCAS and vice-versa; mainly because it involves financial implications for them. However, until such times, the SACFA applicants will be required to continue submitting the applications as per existing requirement/practice.
(ii) COAI/ AUSPI proposed for limiting thecirculation of sites to only those falling within the specified distance from the Airport Reference Point (ARP).AAI/JCES indicatedthat the distance of 15 KMs from airport is critical to flight safety, hence it may be considered to limit the circulation of the sites falling within 15 KMs from the ARP of the nearest airport. Formal intimation in this regard may to be provided in this regard by M/s AAI and JCES within one month.
(iii)Circulation of hard copies of SACFAapplications applied on-lineto representatives of the local airports of AAI was objected/ disputed by COAI/AUSPI. AAI explained that it was necessary to submit the hard copy applications to their local offices for receiving their comments on a critical matter i.e. flight safety.
(iv)It was also decided that a List of offices/airports to whom the hard copy applications are to be provided as per their jurisdictions as well as a latest list of all the airports,containing important parameters such as geo-coordinates, AMSL, address etc., under AAI/ State Governments,should be provided by AAI.
(Action by: AAI and JCES)
A.2: Rejection of SACFA cleared sites by AAI/JCES:
It was indicated by DWA (SACFA) that thethere has been, over a period of time, very less or negligible progress on the dismantling/change of parameters in respect of sites rejected by SACFA members.Chairman desired that the TSPs should take this matter seriously in consultation with concerned SACFA member and SACFA Sectt. It was decided by the chairman that progress on such rejected/objected sites will be discussed/perused during subsequent SACFA meetings also.
A.3: Delay in issuing SACFA final clearances/WPC Acceptance Number:
Some participants expressed that delays are taking place ingrant of WPC Acceptance numbers to their SACFA applications on which DWA (SACFA) mentioned that although the performance level/efficiency of disposal of SACFA applications by WPC Wing (SCAFA Sectt.) has been very high, still there was a scope for further improvement w.r.t. grant of WPC acceptance numbers and subsequent clearances and issuances, with more logistics/manpower. It was informed by DWA (SACFA) that around one lakh seventy thousand siting clearances were issued by SACFA, WPC Wing during the year 2012.
TSPs were also requested by SACFA members to submit the hard copy applications within 15 days of on line filing.
(Action by TSPs)
Agenda Item B: Issue of WOLs (wireless Operating Licenses) to Service Providers:
1. Representatives from AUSPI/COAI expressed their concern in respect of delays in grant of WOL. WA stated that whatever delays have occurred in grant of WOLs were mainly due to various activities regarding auction of spectrum as the man power available for these purposes is same and limited. However, the Wireless Adviser stated that some of the pendency in grant of WOL was also attributable to other factors such asdeficiency in data provided by the applicants in frequency deployment plans submitted by them, etc.. Further, in many cases complete documents such as copy of equipment’ invoices and up-to-date proof of submission of spectrum charges are not provided by the applicants whichalso becomes a cause of delay. However, WA stated that WPC Wing will try to take all necessary steps with a view toexpedite the issuance of WOLs in coordination with service providers.
2. Some of the representatives from COAI and AUSPI stated that one-time data submission should suffice for all the purposes of WPC Wing such as SACFA, Deployment Plan and issuance of WOL. On this WA stated that the issue of WOL and SACFA should not be equated as WOL is an instrument issued under ITA 1885, whereas SACFA is part of various requirements culminating in the issuance of WOL. However, he proposed for formation of a group/committee to be headed by JWA, WPC Wing which may look into various issues associated with SACFA and WOL. The committee will have 1 or 2 representatives each from COAI and AUSPI as the members of the above committee. Concerned DWAs of WPC Wing will also be members of this committee. The Chair agreed for the same.
(Action by WPC Wing and TSPs)
Agenda Item C: Interference to Cellular Networks:
The issue of interference to the cellular networks was raised by AUSPI and COAI. Director, WMO stated that WMO is continuously taking up/resolving/identifying the interference complaints received from respective telecom service providers despite limitations with regard to availability of monitoring equipments. He further informed that majority of interference complaints received from CDMA operators were found to be originating from Cable TV providers. In case of GSM operators, most of the complaints were found to be caused due to Jammers.
With regard to cross border interference, especially in North and NW region including J & K and Punjab, it was mentioned by WA that the interference in 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands was basically due to differing band plan adopted by our neighbor which leads to duplex-reversal. He further stated that, although, the matter is being taken up with the concerned neighbouring country, there is a need for more caution on part of our telecom service providers also with respect to design and laying of networks in the border areas as the issue of interference is applicable both ways. He further stated that Repeaters being used by the service providers need to be of standard/best quality with a view to minimize interference problem.
Some of the participants stated that the interference to 3G networks might be originating internally i.e.from IAF etc. also. However, Director, WMO informed that nothing could be stated definitively at this stage in this regard.
However, WA stated that measurement data in this regard held by service providers, if any, such as Bharti, Reliance etc, may be shared with WMO/WPC for further analysis. WMO may also share its measurement data with the concerned service providers.
(Action by WPC, WMO and TSPs)
Agenda Item D: Any other point with permission of Chair:
D.1: Availability of WPC Server:
The representatives of AUSPI and COAI raised the matter of unsatisfactory availability of WPC web server. In this regard, DWA (ASMS) informed that the maintenance/upkeep of web server is being planned to be entrusted to NIC after which the availability of web server may improve significantly. The matter is under financial concurrence.
(Action by WPC Wing)
D.2: Revalidation of SACFA clearances to “new entrants” having won spectrum in recently concluded 2G spectrum auctions:
Some participants raised the above issue stating that there is a need to expedite the revalidation of SACFA clearances, as mentioned in the NIA. WA informed that modalities have already been worked out in WPC Wing in this regard and it is expected that no major hurdles will be faced in this context.
(Action by WPC Wing and TSPs)
The next date of meeting may be announced after the submission of proposal by AAI regarding interlinking of NOCAS and SACFA application systems.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks.
------xxxxx------
ANNEX-I
List of Participants in the meeting held on 27.12.2012 at 1230 Hrs.
S.No. / Name / Designation / Organisation1 / J.K. Roy / Member (T) DOT / DOT MOC & IT
2 / RJS Khushvaha / Wireless Advisor / WPC Wing
3 / RB Prasad / JWA / WPC Wing
4 / Gulab Chand / DWA / WPC Wing
5 / Cdr D. S. Suhag / JDNS / IHQ MOD (Navy)
6 / Wg Cdr B.K. Panda / JD Sigs / Air HQ
7 / Grp Capt. Uday Chawla / D. Sigs / Air HQ
8 / Lt. Col. P.K. Singh / Jt. Dir / JCES, HQ IDS
9 / Col. S M Z Kirmani / Dir / JCES, HQ IDS
10 / K.C. Sharma / Dy. Dir. / DCPW/MHA
11 / D. Bala Suhramaniam / AD / DCPW/MHA
12 / Vivek Desai / Jt GM / AAI
13 / Dheeraj Kumar / SM / AAI
14 / Maha Singh / Deputy Dir. / WMO
15 / V.V. Singh / Director / WMO
16 / Arun Kumar Singh / AVP / TTSL
17 / Vandana Dhar / DGM / R COM
18 / Amit Mathur / SrVP / R COM
19 / Sunil Batra / VP / TTSL
20 / Narasimhan J. / DCEO / MTS(SSTL)
21 / Ashok Sud / SG AUSPI / AUSPI
22 / Ashish Garg / Manager / AUSPI
23 / Arpit Srivastava / Manager / TTL
24 / Pradeep Rana / Asist M / Aircel
25 / C. K. Goyal / MGR / Airtel
26 / Satyender Patwar / Sr. Manager / Aircel
27 / R.K. Mehta / Head Reg. / QTL
28 / Satyaveer Gupta / GM / VTL
29 / Naveen Bhatt / Manager / Videocon Tell. Ltd.
30 / Vikram Tiwathia / ADG / COAI
31 / Ashwini Rana / VP / Airtel
32 / S.M. Panda / Manager / Vodafone
33 / JWO AK Haldar / IAF / IAF
34 / Praveen Kumar / Idea / Idea
35 / S.B. Singh / Idea / Idea
36 / R. Sundar / DGM / Unitech Wireless
37 / Subhash Mondal / DM / Uninor
38 / Suraj Dwivedi / Asst. Mr. / Airtel
39 / Sunil Sareen / Sr. Mgr. / Airtel
40 / N. Bharti / DWA / WPC Wing
41 / S.M. Sharma / DWA / WPC Wing
42 / R.K. Saxena / DWA / WPC Wing
43 / Bhagirath / AWA / WPC Wing
44 / R.K. Niranjan / AWA / WPC Wing
45 / Dev Raj / Engr. / WPC Wing
46 / A.K. Saxena / Engr / WPC Wing