Panel to settle telecom disputes

The government may set up a joint working group comprising representatives of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and both CDMA and GSM operators to resolve issues like allocation of 3G spectrum, uniform tariffs under the One India policy, inter-connectivity between operators and number portability.

The joint working group is to be set up in about two weeks and the government wants all issues resolved by December.

The proposal was mooted at a meeting between Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran and GSM operators.

The meeting was attended by Bharti's Chairman and Group Managing Director, Sunil Mittal, Hutchison Essar's Managing Director, Ashim Ghosh, Idea CEO, Vikram Mehmi, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India, TV Ramachandran, COAI President, Anil Nair and Essar Group Chairman, Shashi Ruia, among others.

The strength of the joint working group, its mandate, time frame and the issues to be addressed would be decided later, said an executive from an operator.