Raja ready for talks with GSM industry

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) In an attempt to end the impasse over the spectrum issue which seems to derail the telecom growth in the country, Communication and IT Minister A Raja has said that he is ready for discussions with GSM players over the allocation of these vital radio frequencies.

Mr Raja said that he is ready to hear GSM lobby Cellular Association of India (COAI), provided they disprove that DoT's technical wing TEC should not be scientifically relied upon.

In an interview to a news channel, Mr Raja said, ''It can be debated without any aberration. I do not know what prevents COAI to interact in a healthy manner. Even now, I am ready to hear them''.

The Minister said that after the entire 200-page report being placed in the website, its a matter of public domain.

''If COAI has any grievance, they are at liberty to debate this issue.'' In a related development, Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani, while describing the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)'s move against the new spectrum policy as ''unwarranted, unnecessary and misguided''.

Mr Ambani said the bid by GSM players to prevent CDMA players to come into GSM space will curb competition.

''COAI's action is not representative of the Indian mobile industry,'' Mr Ambani said.

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''I believe two of them have already withdrawn from the case and only three are left in this matter.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.'' More UNI

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