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Telecom operators at loggerheads

NEW DELHI: The delay in resolving the complex issue of spectrum allocation is putting telecom operators on a warpath against each other. It is not just the mobile operators using GSM and CDMA technologies who are trading charges against each other on the issue but the GSM operators and their public sector counterparts are also on loggerheads.

The recent Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC)’s report on spectrum has only added fuel to the fire, with GSM operators accusing the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of trying to hurt the interests of existing GSM operators and facilitating entry of select players into GSM (read CDMA operators).

The Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), representing GSM operators, has been opposing the use of dual technology by a single operator which it claims would give undue advantage to new entrants, mainly the existing CDMA operators.

In its report submitted to the DoT, the TEC has not only proposed a 100 per cent hike in spectrum usage charges originally recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), but also supported enhanced subscriber-linked criteria for additional spectrum allocation that will make it difficult for existing subscribers to get additional frequency to expand their services.

The COAI has been opposing the entire process alleging it to be a “non-transparent” exercise, while the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI), comprising CDMA operators, has welcomed the new norms stating that it will help in ensuring that spectrum is allocated transparently and utilised most efficiently.

Meanwhile, another point was added to the entire spectrum row a few days ago when first the COAI accused the DoT of favouring two State-run telecom companies — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) — by allocating them additional spectrum when the TEC process was on and then Sunil Mittal, head of the country’s leading mobile company Airtel, wrote to the Telecom Secretary, D. S. Mathur, raising his objections on the same issue.

Protesting the new norms for allocating spectrum to GSM mobile operators, Mr. Mittal wrote: “I am writing this letter to seek your urgent intervention in a matter that is causing extreme anguish to GSM mobile operators. There have been a number of developments in recent months which could once again destabilise this performing, vital infrastructure sector.

The hurried exercise at TEC was a sad commentary on how international and time-tested norms for spectrum allocation were being ignored.”

On the other hand, BSNL and MTNL have refuted all allegations and said that they had met all existing norms for the allocation of radio waves.

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