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Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
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Panel to review spectrum allocation

NEW DELHI: Amid the controversy over spectrum allocation, the Government on Tuesday ordered a review of the recommendations of Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) that were accepted ‘in-principle’ a few days ago.

Announcing the review, an official statement said the committee would recommend the revision of present “Spectrum Allocation Criterion” to licensed operators based on the subscriber figures in a scientific and practicable manner.

The announcement comes close on the heels of some private GSM operators seeking intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue. The review comes amid sharp differences within GSM lobby Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) whose key member Bharti Airtel chief Sunil Mittal has opposed the Department of Telecom’s stand on spectrum allocation.

Another key player Reliance Communications had on Monday questioned COAI’s standing with its chairman Anil Ambani saying the association did not represent the telecom industry.

The announcement comes within a week after Telecom Minister A. Raja said TEC’s report was accepted ‘in-principle’ and informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about it.

The decision to form the panel is understood to have been taken after the Prime Minister’s Office convened a meeting of senior DoT officials on Tuesday evening, sources said. — PTI

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