The Hindu Business Line : GSM operators seek more time in dual tech case

New Delhi, Sept. 4 The telecom tribunal today adjourned the hearing on the issue of allowing dual technology to Reliance Communications after the GSM operators requested for more time to file a detailed response. The Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) said that the responsibility of delaying the adjudication process would be on the GSM operators.

“An impression is made outside that we are delaying the process,” said Mr Justice Arun Kumar, Chairman of TDSAT. The request from GSM operators came as a surprise because all along they have been urging the tribunal for a quick hearing.

The Cellular Operators’ association of India said that GSM operators had to seek an adjournment since they wanted time to study the Delhi High Court’s order on the same issue. The High Court had dismissed GSM operators’ plea against the Government’s decision to allow dual technology.

COAI is, however, yet to take a decision on whether to challenge Delhi High Court’s decision in the Division Bench or move to the Supreme Court. The TDSAT was to start final hearing today on the petition.

Earlier COAI’s rival lobby group - Association of Unified Telecom Services Providers of India withdrew its petition against the GSM operators on the issue of levying a charge on operators with more than 6.2 Mhz spectrum.

Industry watchers said that the two decisions from the rival camps could be an indication of a thaw in relationship between GSM and CDMA operators.

However, COAI said that there concerns with Government’s decision to allow dual technology to CDMA operators still remains.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party MP Mr Amar Singh has shot off another letter to the Prime Minister insisting that the Government should charge a fee from GSM operators for having spectrum beyond 4.4 Mhz.

Mr Singh’s second letter follows Department of Telecom’s decision to reject the proposals sent by the SP leader earlier.

DoT has instead proposed its own formula for charging operators with more than 6.2 Mhz.

However in the latest letter to Prime Minister, Mr Singh said that all the new operators were being given only 4.4 Mhz start up spectrum and, therefore, DoT should consider that as the upper limit for calculating spectrum charges and not 6.2 Mhz.

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