Temasek throws weight behind GSM firms; writes to PM
Temasek is a major investor in SingTel which has about 30% equity in Sunil Mittal - promoted Bharti Airtel. Is India ready for mobile TV?
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: The telecom tangle involving spectrum allocation has left the foreign investors unsettled, with Singapore's investment arm Temasek on Thursday seeking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's help to clear the mess without destabilising existing players.
"I write to keep you informed of my concerns regarding the latest proposals for the allocation of wireless spectrum in India," Ho Ching, Executive Director and CEO, Temasek Holdings, said in a letter to the PM.
It is the prerogative of the regulatory authorities to decide on the spectrum allocation, Ching said adding that "the latest proposals (Telecom Engineering Centre's report) risk making private operators sub-scale, when they have a real window of opportunity to be global champions."
Temasek has an exposure in various sectors, including telecom, finance and infrastructure. It is a major investor in SingTel, which has about 30 per cent equity in Sunil Mittal - promoted Bharti Airtel.
Prior to Temasek, Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin, Reliance Communication Chairman Anil Ambani and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu have sent letters to Singh, putting forward their views before the Prime Minister.
Singh, however, is understood to have given full responsibility to Telecom Minister A Raja to resolve the issue between the two camps - GSM and CDMA.
"As a long-term investor in India, it is my sincere suggestion that you invite your regulators to consider the best practices and strategies around the world. We would be happy to play our part to help facilitate any exchanges with other regulators," Ching said.
"I write to keep you informed of my concerns regarding the latest proposals for the allocation of wireless spectrum in India," Ho Ching, Executive Director and CEO, Temasek Holdings, said in a letter to the PM.
It is the prerogative of the regulatory authorities to decide on the spectrum allocation, Ching said adding that "the latest proposals (Telecom Engineering Centre's report) risk making private operators sub-scale, when they have a real window of opportunity to be global champions."
Temasek has an exposure in various sectors, including telecom, finance and infrastructure. It is a major investor in SingTel, which has about 30 per cent equity in Sunil Mittal - promoted Bharti Airtel.
Prior to Temasek, Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin, Reliance Communication Chairman Anil Ambani and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu have sent letters to Singh, putting forward their views before the Prime Minister.
Singh, however, is understood to have given full responsibility to Telecom Minister A Raja to resolve the issue between the two camps - GSM and CDMA.
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"As a long-term investor in India, it is my sincere suggestion that you invite your regulators to consider the best practices and strategies around the world. We would be happy to play our part to help facilitate any exchanges with other regulators," Ching said.
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