The Cellular Operators Association of India has told the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that the latter's letter to the CBI on 2G spectrum pricing did not give the full picture.
“The Authority's letter does not reflect the true and full picture on crucial issues and includes certain inconsistencies and contradictions,” the COAI said in a letter to the TRAI.
The telecom regulator had sent a letter to the CBI in connection with the investigation into the 2G spectrum deals. In the letter, the TRAI said that it did not recommend auction or an increase in the entry fee for new player nor price beyond 6.2 Mhz.
The industry body said that the TRAI did not explain the legal reason for not suggesting a price for spectrum beyond 6.2 Mhz. The COAI said that the TRAI had adopted a contradictory stance wherein on one hand spectrum allocation done in 2003 is being sought to be taxed while those who got spectrum in 2008 at 2001 rates.
“We are concerned that the authority is applying different rules to different sets of operators, thus acting against the fundamental objectives of policy as also the TRAI Act. We also request TRAI to make complete disclosure to CBI,” the COAI letter to TRAI stated.