Telecom panel defers pricing, M&A decision

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Commission will meet again next Friday to discuss proposals on pricing of 2G spectrum and M&A in the sector, a senior government official said. "We have not frozen on anything yet," R Chandrashekhar, the top bureaucrat in the telecom ministry, told reporters on Friday.

Chandrashekhar added that the commission was hopeful of completing discussions when it meets on December 9, but would not "rush in" to a decision. Last month, the Trai proposed a relaxation of rules for M&A in the sector in a move to facilitate a long-awaited consolidation in the 15-player market, among other recommendations.