Spectrum row: AUSPI hails Trai, flays GSM operators

In contrast to the stand by GSM operators, CDMA players like RCom and Tatas today hailed telecom regulator Trai for its "balanced, progressive and transparent" spectrum proposals.

"The Trai recommendations are pro-consumer and will help bridge digital divide by linking spectrum allocation with roll-out obligations... These are well balanced, progressive and transparent," CDMA players' association AUSPI said.

The recommendations are unlike the past instances of spectrum allocations over legal entitlement to incumbent service providers, it added.

While no association or operator has got all issues from their wish-list accepted by Trai, the regulator has accepted far more of the wish-list of incumbent GSM operators than CDMA members, it said.

"Yet, vicious and unprecedented attack continues. This has never happened in the sector before and against an independent regulator in any sector, anywhere in the world," AUSPI said in a release.

The GSM brigade, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar, have opposed the TRAI recommendations and termed them as retrograde and perverse and said the report should be dumped.

"We hope that Trai and the government will not buckle to this vicious and virulent blackmail and will continue to remain independent," the CDMA operators' association said.

The Trai has said that 2G spectrum beyond the contracted limit of 6.2 MHz need to be priced in relation to the 3G spectrum, for which the auction is in process. It has also capped the spectrum at 8 MHz other than in Delhi and Mumbai at 10 MHz.

Tata Teleservices has said that since no 2G spectrum is available, the spectrum above the permissible limits (beyond 6.2 MHz) needs to be withdrawn.

It also said that in case of mergers, spectrum above the permissible level should not be allowed to be retained as it would encourage hoarding of spectrum.