Proponets of subscriber-linked spectrum allocation and resultant reporting of correct user base got a further boost on Tuesday with Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Chairman Nripendra Misra supporting the authenticity of these figures.
"The figures announced by mobile operators every month are correct and authentic," Misra said, adding as of now there has not been any occasion where the Authroity had noticed or sensed and 'artificial' increase in these numbers.
He, however, added that Department of Telecom is already looking into these matters.. at this stage, Trai is not possibly looking at these issues.
Misra's views on believing the operators' subscriber figures are important as Trai also as an official institution gets these monthly figures based on which it carries out its own subscriber figures. Operators also provide the monthly figures to DoT.
Misra said recently there have been doubt over these figures in the context of spectrum allocation where certain study group findings, mismatch between sales and connection figures and expression of some telecom equipment manufacturers have been cited as the basis for questioning those figures.
Telecom Minister Dayandihi Maran has already stated that the DoT believed the subscriber figures announced by mobile operators.
Maran had defended the subscriber figures announced by various telecom operators saying 'best of international practices are being followed which is very stringent in subscriber counting and definitely we believe the operators.'
Tata Teleservices had recently written a letter to the Department of Telecom secretary seeking verification of subscribers alleging that the figures were forged.
Even Ratan Tata had raised the matter objecting to DoT's policy of allocating additional spectrum based on self-proclaimed subscriber base announced by the cellular operators.
TTSL has been asking DoT to undertake accrediated third party audit of subscriber base. But the Department says it sees no reason to go for it.
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