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The existing cellular operators in India had much less spectrum allocation in comparison to their counterparts in other countries. This imposed a needless constraint on them in respect to both QOS/optimal network engineering, according to TRAI.

NEW DELHI, Feb. 21

MORE or less spiking the Government proposal to permit open competition in the cellular services, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has stated that unless adequate spectrum is allocated to the existing operators, such a move may not be desirable.

In a letter to the Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Mr. Vinod Vaish, the authority pointed out that it was in favour of open competition in different segments of telecom market and had recommended accordingly in respect of different services. But with respect to cellular mobile services, there would have to be a clear view on the quantum of additional spectrum which could be allocated to cellular services.

Drawing DoT's attention to the delay in the allotment of frequency of operations to the fourth cellular operator and the pending unfulfilled demand of additional spectrum, TRAI said these factors indicated constraints in the availability of spectrum even to the existing cellular operators. While examining the possibility of inducting additional cellular players in various service areas, the issues such as spectrum needed to be addressed in depth, it said. TRAI, in its earlier recommendations dated October, 24, 2000 relating to the entry of the fourth cellular service provider, had stated that in various service areas additional spectrum, if available, should be given to the existing operators to enable them to provide services in a more cost- effective manner. This recommendation was made so as to address the problems faced by the existing players relating to engineering an optimal network which could meet the norms specified by the authority in its quality of services (QOS ) Regulation.

Eventually, sustaining competition required that the existing players should be able to function in an efficient manner with adequate bandwidth and build networks without avoidable investment. In this context, the authority had gathered information relating to cellular mobile services. The existing cellular operators in India had much less spectrum allocation in comparison to their counterparts in other countries. This imposed a needless constraint on them in respect to both QOS/optimal network engineering.

With the entry of private basic service operators and the offering of limited mobility (WLL) services by them, there are at least two basic service operators licensed to offer limited mobility service in different service areas. With this, there are four cellular and at least two basic service operators (BSO) offering limited mobile services to the customers. However, while there was no limit in principle to the number of BSO entrants, the offering of WLL service would be limited by the availability of spectrum, TRAI stated.

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