COAI asks PMO to implement TRAI’s recommendations

As reported earlier the Telecom Commission has returned the recommendations made by TRAI related to the spectrum auction. Now, COAI, the GSM industry body has approached the Prime Minister’s Office in order to get the recommendation implemented for the next round of auction scheduled to take place in February next year.

As reported by PTI, COAI stated in a letter to Nripendra Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, “If the proposed spectrum auction to be held in February 2015 is conducted with completely inadequate spectrum, it will put investments of thousands of crores or rupee and continuity of service to millions of customers at huge risk.”

The spectrum which is up for sale is being sued by operators like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and RCom. In the next round of auctions the operators will have to purchase the airwaves again as their licenses are set to expire. COAI states that the companies whose licenses will be expiring serve around 275 million customers and for undisturbed services they again have to win the spectrum.

Also Read: Telecom Commission returns TRAI’s recommendation on spectrum auction

As per the PTI report, COAI said, “The implications of such an auction have been highlighted by the TRAI in its recent recommendations, where, the regulator has enunciated the risks of carrying out of an auction with inadequate spectrum.”

COAI has also requested to put 2100 Mhz band, used for 3G service, also for auction along with 800 Mhz (used for CDMA), 900 Mhz and 1800 Mhz (used for GSM mobile services). However, spectrum in 2100 Mhz band is held by the Defence Ministry which is awaiting an alternate network to be ready for its communication needs before it vacates the radiowaves.