In Phase-I of liberalization of FM broadcasting one frequency in each of the forty cities was reserved for educational broadcast by IGNOU. However, so far IGNOU has been able to operationalize only 10 FM stations. It appears that due to limits on availability of funds IGNOU may not be in a position to operationalize all these frequencies. On account of paucity of spectrum it is not advisable to allocate FM frequencies for educational broadcasts.

The Committee is of the opinion that some other available frequencies (like medium wave) may be more effectively utilized for the purposes of educational broadcasts by IGNOU. It has been brought to the notice of the Committee that during the last few years AIR is in the process of migrating high quality music programmes like Vividh Bharati from MW to FM. The possibility of availing these MW transmitters from AIR for the purposes of educational broadcasts by IGNOU requires serious consideration. This would address the issue of costs as IGNOU will not have to incur heavy expenditure on building broadcast infrastructure because AIR facilities could be used by IGNOU at a reasonable cost.This arrangement would lead to the best possible use of spectrum.