Now, Kamal Nath writes to PM over spectrum issue
The controversy over spectrum allocation to telecom firms has spread further with Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath now writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a larger discussion on the issue.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The controversy over spectrum allocation to telecom firms has spread further with Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath now writing to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a larger discussion on the issue.
Nath has expressed concern over the ongoing spectrum tussle between the government and GSM mobile players and is understood to have said that the prolonged battle may affect the investment environment and deter overseas players.
The commerce minister is the latest to write a letter to Singh on the issue. Communications Minister A Raja has already explained his stand to Singh, while private rivals Anil Ambani, chairman of CDMA player Reliance Communications, and Vodafone chief Arun Sarin have also shot off letters to the Prime Minister.
Besides, Bharti Airtel chief Sunil Mittal, who wrote a letter to Department of Telecom secretary D S Mathur, is belived to have met Singh seeking his intervention.
Nath's deputy Jairam Ramesh has also written a letter to Mittal, criticising him for his remarks against state-run telecom firms BSNL and MTNL.
India is attracting huge foreign investments in telcom sector with UK's Vodafone and Russia's Sistema making their entry. Other global players, including US's AT&T, are also planning a foray in the world's fastest-growing telecom arena.
The government on October 19 had allowed use of dual technology by a single operator in the same circle and enhanced subscriber base for allocation of spectrum. Both the new norms have been opposed by the GSM players, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Essar. GSM players' lobby, Cellular Operators Association of India, had challenged government's decision in telecom tribunal TDSAT.
Nath has expressed concern over the ongoing spectrum tussle between the government and GSM mobile players and is understood to have said that the prolonged battle may affect the investment environment and deter overseas players.
The commerce minister is the latest to write a letter to Singh on the issue. Communications Minister A Raja has already explained his stand to Singh, while private rivals Anil Ambani, chairman of CDMA player Reliance Communications, and Vodafone chief Arun Sarin have also shot off letters to the Prime Minister.
Besides, Bharti Airtel chief Sunil Mittal, who wrote a letter to Department of Telecom secretary D S Mathur, is belived to have met Singh seeking his intervention.
Nath's deputy Jairam Ramesh has also written a letter to Mittal, criticising him for his remarks against state-run telecom firms BSNL and MTNL.
India is attracting huge foreign investments in telcom sector with UK's Vodafone and Russia's Sistema making their entry. Other global players, including US's AT&T, are also planning a foray in the world's fastest-growing telecom arena.
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The government on October 19 had allowed use of dual technology by a single operator in the same circle and enhanced subscriber base for allocation of spectrum. Both the new norms have been opposed by the GSM players, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Essar. GSM players' lobby, Cellular Operators Association of India, had challenged government's decision in telecom tribunal TDSAT.
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