The Confederation of Indian Industry has urged the department of telecommunications (DoT) that even as it engages with the defence ministry for swapping 15 Mhz of spectrum in the 1,900 (CDMA) Mhz band for a similar quantum of spectrum in 2,100 Mhz (3G), it should make a reference to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to recommend a reserve price for the latter. “We urge the DoT that even whilst it is engaging with defence for the swap of 2,100 MHz, it should simultaneously make a reference to Trai to recommend a reserve price for 2,100 MHz spectrum,? Kiran karnik, chairman of CII’s national committee of telecom, has written to DoT secretary Rakesh Garg.
Industry sources said the idea behind seeking a reserve price from Trai is that if the swap with the defence materialises, 3G auctions can be conducted along with the auctions for 2G spectrum in the 900 and 1,800 Mhz planned in February 2015. The Trai is already working on the reserve price for 2G spectrum.
CII has pointed out that the next round of auctions could lead to distorted results and concerns over the continuity of business for operators whose licences are coming up for extension if availability of additional spectrum in 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands is not made. ?The need of the hour is to make available additional spectrum in all current commercially used bands of 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz, so as to ensure sufficiency of supply for a successful auction,? Karnik has said in the letter.
