"Trai has acknowledged that a fully loaded GSM network has similar spectral efficiency as that of CDMA networks... But in spite of that, Trai has been recommending double spectrum to them," Anil Sardana, Managing Director of Tata Teleservices (TTSL) said in a letter to Telecom Secretary.
The Department of Telecom had, last week, announced a roadmap for allocation of spectrum up to 7.2 Mhz to GSM operators. But, Trai sought a blueprint that would allow distribution of up to 15 Mhz to these operators.
TTSL said that Trai, as an independent regulator, should not have favoured one section of the industry. "Trai is constituted as an independent regulator and we are pained, distressed to note that Trai's concerns on Department of Telecom's implementation of interim spectrum allocation norms are relating to existing GSM operators who are already holding more spectrum than the contracted amount under their license and who are admittedly not using the spectrum efficiently," Sardana said.
Even in DoT, some officials expressed shock over Trai Chairman Nripendra Misra's communique to the Telecom Secretary opposing DoT's move to allot Letters of Intent to new players.
According to sources, DoT has not tampered with the Trai norms and it was the regulator's recommendation that no cap should be applied on number of operators in each circle and as far as issuance of LoIs are concerned, they said the licenses were being issued as per the Cabinet decision of 2003, which says the licenses can be issued irrespective of spectrum availability.
After Trai called for allocation of up to 15 Mhz to them, GSM operators lobby Cellular Operators Association of India had raised its voice, saying the government's new criteria was not in conformity with the regulator's recommendation.
TTSL, in its letter, also demanded that the department abstain from distributing spectrum to any operator beyond the contracted 6.2 MHz till the time the Spectrum Committee recommendations on allotment of additional spectrum are finalised.
The subscriber norm criteria for spectrum allocation should be the same for both GSM and CDMA players, to create a level playing field and emphasise technology neutrality.