COAI action on spectrum unwarranted: Ambani
Mumbai,
Nov
5:
Reliance
Communications
Chairman
Anil
Ambani,
while
describing
the
Cellular
Operators
Association
of
India's
move
against
the
new
spectrum
policy
as
''unwarranted,
unnecessary
and
misguided'',
has
said
the
bid
by
GSM
players
to
prevent
CDMA
players
to
come
into
GSM
space
would
curb
competition.
''The Cellular Operators Association of India action is not representative of the Indian mobile industry,'' Mr Ambani said while speaking to reporters here today.
While pointing out that there are eight to nine players who operate on the mobility platform, he said initially five companies took the matter to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
''I believe two of them have already withdrawn from the case and only three are left in this matter. So, clearly we have disassociated, being a member of COAI and a GSM operator in eight circles.'' ''When you look at the propaganda by COAI, the reality is something that they do not want to recognise. The reality is that the licenses are technology neutral, they were upheld by TRAI and recommended to the DoT,'' he said.
''We were issued permission to operate on both the platforms and we have paid a fee of more than Rs 1,650 crore. Our spectrum eligibility date, which has been misrepresented by certain parties, is October 19,'' Mr Ambani said.
On the future course of action, Mr Ambani said, ''we respect the judiciary. The entire approach of two-three players left in this petition, is to ensure that there is no new competition in the GSM space and stall any further stronger players from coming into this business.'' ''If you look at what some of these players have done and practiced in the last three-six months, it is a visible sign of price fixation. They keep increasing their tariff and changing their service cost parameters. I think this is anti-consumer.''
UNI