TRAI works on spectrum management

TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) recommendations held in an open house session clearly explored the gaps between the major telecom players in India. TRAI, a telecom regulatory authority decided to work on the telecom services and came up with a thought. Planning mounted as they decided to submit recommendations on the provisions of overall spectrum management and review of license terms. As the discussions went on, the representatives of various telecoms service providers were entangled in a heated discussion. The day saw a thin line between the GSM and CDMA players.

Again as a supporter of CDMA players, Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI) mentioned that all the operators in the country should be given equal amount of spectrum followed by surrendering the spectrums that exceed more than 6.2 Mhz. the main point of concern was on whether the allocated spectrum should be technology neutral or only specific technology should be allowed to operate in a particular band. It was also urged that after expiry of license of operators in this band, the spectrum available with them should be auctioned and the incumbent operators should also be given chance to bid for it. This means Airtel and Vodafone favour delinking while Reliance, Tata opposed it.

Bharti Airtel said that the UAS licensees in the future should go to the market even for start-up spectrum. However, Reliance Communications says the contractual spectrum in 800, 900 and 1800 MHz bands cannot be delinked from the existing UAS license. Tata Teleservices said spectrum should not be delinked from the UASL and the licensee should be upfront allocated the contracted amount of the spectrum-- 2x5 MHz for CDMA technology and 2x6.2 MHz for GSM technology, by paying the cost.

  

Trai includes new regulations that will allow mobile phone firms to buy each other out and trade in spectrum. Thus the war begins.