The Hindu Business Line : Govt accepts TRAI formula on spectrum

Gets signal
After the DoT’s decision, the GSM operators accepted the spectrum allocation norms of TRAI
COAI says dual technology is a separate matter

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Dec. 26 In a bid to end the ongoing controversy over spectrum allocation to GSM-based mobile operators, the Government today accepted the spectrum review committee’s recommendation of allocating additional frequency to existing GSM operators based on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) subscriber-linked formula and in multiples of 1 MHz.

It has also decided to file an affidavit in the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and the Delhi High Court, where the GSM operators have challenged the Government on spectrum allocation norms.

The GSM lobby, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), had challenged TRAI’s recommendations of having a higher subscriber base to qualify for additional frequency allocation, saying these were not based on scientific calculation and were without consultation of the stakeholders. Till now, the GSM operators were getting additional spectrum in multiples of 2.4 MHz and lowering it to 1 MHz would mean that existing operators such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar would get lesser amounts of spectrum each time.

However, after the Department of Telecom’s decision today, the GSM-based mobile operators changed stance and accepted the spectrum allocation norms of TRAI that had suggested up to six time higher subscriber base for firms to get additional frequency.

“We are quite comfortable with this,” Mr T.V. Ramachandran, Director General of COAI, said reacting to the Government’s decision to file an affidavit in telecom tribunal TDSAT and Delhi High Court to this effect.

Neither TDSAT nor Delhi High Court have stayed the process of issuing Letters of Intent or spectrum to CDMA-based operators entering GSM segment under dual technology or to new players wanting to start GSM services.

Dual technology

COAI, however, said the issue of dual technology was a separate matter and cannot be combined with the spectrum allocation norms of TRAI.

The spectrum review committee, headed by Mr R. Bandhopadhya, had suggested that additional spectrum allocation to GSM operators could be reduced to 1 Mhz instead of 2.4 Mhz at present.

It has also suggested that another committee be set up with technical experts to arrive at a scientific subscriber base for apportioning additional spectrum and in the interim period TRAI recommendation be implemented.