Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal has given in-principle approval to draft National Frequency Allocation Plan-2011, which would help in efficient spectrum management and higher mobile penetration in rural areas.

"Minister has given in-principle approval to new National Frequency Approval Plan-2011 (NFAP) draft that will surely help in better spectrum management and will also increase mobile penetration in rural areas," a source in the Department of Telecom (DoT) said.

The Plan (NFAP 2011) aims to give a boost to domestic manufacturing of telecom equipment and efficient utilisation of spectrum.

The Wireless Planning Commission (WPC), the spectrum allocation wing of DoT, had issued the draft on NFAP in March.

"The draft will now go to a Group of Ministers with a month and then it will be send to the Cabinet for approval," the source added.

Various government departments, telecom operators and telecom industry bodies COAI and AUSPI had expressed disagreement to the DoT on the various clauses under the National Frequency Allocation Plan for 2011.

Although, the final draft has rejected the concerns of these organisations.

"The objections raised by organisations concerned have no technical and regulatory base," the NFAP document said.