Clear all spectrum applications before RCom's: COAI
COAI pointed out that additional spectrum cannot be allocated in tranches of 4.4 MHz and must only be in tranches of 1.8 to 2.4 MHz. How to be courteous on cellphone?
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: GSM operators on Thursday mounted a counter attack on Reliance Communications, saying its request for GSM spectrum should be looked into only after all applications for new licenses pending as of October 1, 2007 were processed.
According to sources, GSM lobby Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) today met here to finalise its reply to Department of Telecom's affidavit in TDSAT and is of the view that "cross-over allocation (dual technology) is nothing but a brand new GSM license."
Pending applications include 575 new applications, that of companies who have been issued licences without spectrum and existing players waiting for additional frequency for expansion purposes.
Moreover, the COAI pointed out that additional spectrum as sought by Reliance Communications cannot be allocated in tranches of 4.4 MHz and must only be in tranches of 1.8 to 2.4 MHz (for GSM services).
If Reliance Communications is allocated 4.4 MHz GSM spectrum, then the existing operators who have been waiting for additional spectrum for many months and even years in many circles should also be treated similarly, COAI said.
COAI said that the February 2006 application of Reliance Communications cannot be acted upon and given effect to in October 2007. "Such an action would be clearly arbitrary, perverse and clearly illegal," it added.
Earlier this week, Reliance Communications chief Anil Ambani had accused GSM operators of "hoarding" surplus spectrum, while seeking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to ensure that service providers like Vodafone and Bharti Airtel surrender the excess airwaves.
According to sources, GSM lobby Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) today met here to finalise its reply to Department of Telecom's affidavit in TDSAT and is of the view that "cross-over allocation (dual technology) is nothing but a brand new GSM license."
Pending applications include 575 new applications, that of companies who have been issued licences without spectrum and existing players waiting for additional frequency for expansion purposes.
Moreover, the COAI pointed out that additional spectrum as sought by Reliance Communications cannot be allocated in tranches of 4.4 MHz and must only be in tranches of 1.8 to 2.4 MHz (for GSM services).
If Reliance Communications is allocated 4.4 MHz GSM spectrum, then the existing operators who have been waiting for additional spectrum for many months and even years in many circles should also be treated similarly, COAI said.
COAI said that the February 2006 application of Reliance Communications cannot be acted upon and given effect to in October 2007. "Such an action would be clearly arbitrary, perverse and clearly illegal," it added.
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Earlier this week, Reliance Communications chief Anil Ambani had accused GSM operators of "hoarding" surplus spectrum, while seeking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to ensure that service providers like Vodafone and Bharti Airtel surrender the excess airwaves.
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