New Delhi, Aug 31 - The dispute between the Department of Space (DoS) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) over vacation of broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum can delay WiMax rollout, a senior official said here Monday.

WiMax or wireless Internet is essential for increasing broadband penetration in the country - especially in rural areas. However, its rollout will be hampered as a result of the differences between the two departments over vacation of spectrum by DoS.

'DoT is looking at two options, whether to defer the auction or issue conditional licences - meaning roll out the service as and when the spectrum is available,' Telecom Secretary Siddhartha Behura told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.

The DoS believes the WiMax operations will interfere with sensitive satellite communications in adjacent spectrum bands.