Tatas differ from RCOM on dual-tech licence

MUMBAI: Tata Teleservices distanced itself from Reliance Communications’ stance on dual technology on Monday, saying that it applied for licence only after the policy was announced, unlike the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group company.

The Tata Tele statement came after RCOM on Sunday accused Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, and Idea Cellular of regulatory manipulation over the last decade. The statement from Tata Teleservices said the comparison was not appropriate.

“It is unfair and incorrect to compare TTSL with the other applicants, who had applied before the policy was announced.” Analysts said this was a sign of isolation that RCom was headed towards.

So far, whether on setting up lobbying association Auspi or on matters of technology, Tata Tele had gone along with Reliance as it was the only other major player offering mobile services on code division multiple access, or CDMA, technology.

The Tata statement said: "It is indeed special and intriguing that Reliance Communications and two other operators applied and got DoT approval even before the policy was announced.