Why is it in the news?
The Supreme Court held telecom spectrum is a public resource, not corporate asset.
Clarified exclusion of spectrum from Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
Category: Polity
Important Points:
● Spectrum owned by Union of India
● Granted as limited, conditional, revocable privilege
● Licensing rights do not confer ownership
● IBC excludes assets without ownership rights
● Governed by Telecommunications Act, 2023 and TRAI Act, 1997
● Based on Public Trust Doctrine
● Must adhere to Article 14 (fairness & transparency)
● Enables DoT to reclaim spectrum from defaulting operators