Anil Ambani group company Reliance Communications (RCoM) along with two other CDMA players, has received approvals to offer GSM services in their respective circles of operation from the Department of Telecom (DoT).
Reliance Communications has been allowed to offer GSM services on nationwide basis under DoT’s existing Unified Access Service Licences (UASL), the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday.
The two other companies that have also received the approval along with RCom are Mahendra Nahata-promoted HFCL and Shyam Telecom.
Meanwhile, the association of existing GSM players, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has strongly opposed the move saying it is illegal to give permission to these players.
In a letter to telecom secretary, COAI said: “Without prejudice to our submissions that such crossover/dual allocation of spectrum cannot and should not be permitted. It is submitted that even if the same were to be allowed, it can only be done through change in both policy as well as licence as also after following process of law.”
Although the UASL is technology-neutral (meaning an operator can offer either CDMA or GSM-based services) but the player has to choose either of the technologies to get spectrum, COAI said.
RCoM offers its services in different circles across the nation, while Mahendra Nahata-promoted HFCL is an operator in Punjab and Shyam Telecom operates in Rajasthan circle.
RCoM had approached DoT last year seeking spectrum to start GSM-based mobile services in all states other than the eight in the eastern region where the company already has GSM operations.
