The Hindu : Front Page : Spectrum: PM for equitable allocation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 13, 2007
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Spectrum: PM for equitable allocation

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Even as the war over spectrum allocation norms persists, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday favoured a “transparent and equitable” allocation of spectrum to ensure that it does not create any barriers for new players.

Inaugurating India Telecom 2007, organised by the Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Dr. Singh — speaking on the issue for the first time — emphasised that the revenue potential to the government must also be borne in mind while making a policy for the continued growth of the telecom sector.

“It should not create entry barriers to newcomers or barriers to the continued growth of the sector. At the same time, the revenue potential to the government must not be lost sight of,” said Dr. Singh, virtually spelling out the parameters for policy-makers.

Substantial revenue

The Prime Minister pointed out that the governments across the globe had mobilised substantial revenues while allocating spectrum.

Telecom Minister A. Raja said the government had already announced a policy to auction the spectrum for next generation 3G mobile services. But while auctioning the 2G spectrum, the allocation would be considered as per the existing policy, he said.

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