Mixed band could cause extra cost of Rs 3000 cr: COAI
GSM-based telecom operators have opposed the government's decision to allow field trials on a mixed spectrum band, saying this will affect their chances of offering third generation mobile services and put a burden of up to Rs 3,000 crore on them.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: GSM-based telecom operators have opposed the government's decision to allow field trials on a mixed spectrum band, saying this will affect their chances of offering third generation mobile services and put a burden of up to Rs 3,000 crore on them.
Cellular Operators Association of India, the GSM lobby group, said in a letter to Department of Telecom that there would be adverse implications of the proposed mixed band plan, under which rival CDMA operators would also be allowed to operate within the same frequency as GSM service providers.
Such a system has not been implemented anywhere in the world, nor has been certified by any international body, COAI said. If a mixed band is used, GSM operators would have to establish a 'guard band' to ensure there is no interference between the two different technologies, it added.
"We have noted that the presentation (made to DoT by Tata Teleservices) contends that no filters will be required if a guard band of 3.8 MHz is provided. Earlier studies have put this guard band requirement at 10-15 MHz.
"Wastage of spectrum in guard band would, at TRAI recommended reserve price for IMT-2000 spectrum, means a financial implication of Rs 2,000-3,000 crore," COAI said.
GSM operators include Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular, while TTSL and Reliance Communications are the two main CDMA operators in the country. The DoT has allowed field trial to see whether both the technologies can be used within the same spectrum band.
Cellular Operators Association of India, the GSM lobby group, said in a letter to Department of Telecom that there would be adverse implications of the proposed mixed band plan, under which rival CDMA operators would also be allowed to operate within the same frequency as GSM service providers.
Such a system has not been implemented anywhere in the world, nor has been certified by any international body, COAI said. If a mixed band is used, GSM operators would have to establish a 'guard band' to ensure there is no interference between the two different technologies, it added.
"We have noted that the presentation (made to DoT by Tata Teleservices) contends that no filters will be required if a guard band of 3.8 MHz is provided. Earlier studies have put this guard band requirement at 10-15 MHz.
"Wastage of spectrum in guard band would, at TRAI recommended reserve price for IMT-2000 spectrum, means a financial implication of Rs 2,000-3,000 crore," COAI said.
GSM operators include Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular, while TTSL and Reliance Communications are the two main CDMA operators in the country. The DoT has allowed field trial to see whether both the technologies can be used within the same spectrum band.
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