SC DENIES SPECTRUM ALLOCATION PLEA, INSISTS ON AUCTION METHOD

Why in the news?

Supreme Court rejects Centre’s plea for administrative allocation of spectrum, emphasising auction-based allocation established in 2G spectrum judgement.

About the Supreme Court Rejects Spectrum Allocation Plea:

  • The Supreme Court declined the Centre’s application for administrative allocation of spectrum.
  • Spectrum, a scarce natural resource, is traditionally allocated through open, transparent auctions.
  • The law on this matter was established by the Supreme Court 12 years ago in the 2G spectrum judgement.
  • ‘Administrative allocation’ would grant the government sole authority to select operators for distributing airwaves.
  • The Registrar invoked Order XV Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, to reject the application, which permits refusal of petitions lacking reasonable cause or containing frivolous or scandalous content.
source:ET
What is Airwaves/Spectrum?

  • Airwaves, part of the electromagnetic spectrum, enable wireless information transmission for various services like telecommunications.
  • Governed by the government, airwaves are allocated to companies or sectors for their wireless communication needs.
  • Spectrum auctions distribute specific bands of airwaves to operators for delivering communication services to consumers.