Idea, Spice against spectrum allocation to later applicants

New Delhi, Dec 21 (UNI) Two GSM players Idea Cellular Ltd and Spice Telecom today said they have urged the government to consider their applications for spectrum allocation on priority basis and issue Letter of Intent (LoI) to them without further delay.

''We caution the DoT (Department of Telecommunications) that no GSM initial spectrum allocation pertaining to applications subsequent to ours of 26th June 2006 for nine service areas can be entertained until our applications, alongwith associated initial spectrum, are first disposed,'' Idea Cellular Ltd Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Rajat Mukarji wrote in a letter to DoT Secretary D S Mathur.

In a seperate letter in the same tone, Spice Telecom 'cautioned' DoT not to issue any LoI or allocate spectrum to any applicants subsequent to their letter in August 2006 for 20 circles.

Both the telecom companies said as per unified access service licence (UASL), it was incumbent upon the government to take a decision on their aplications within 30 days of submission.

''We wish to point out that your continued delay in issuing the said LoIs/ licenses for applied circles to our company despite innumerable meetings and follow-ups and various reminders has caused immense hardship and irreparable loss to our company,'' Spice Telecom said in a letter dated December 20, 2007 which was made available to the press today.

This step by both the firms comes in the wake of DoT deciding to allow dual technology for mobile service providers. It is also considering to issue LoIs agianst applicantions submitted before September 25 this year.

These companies along with Bharti Airtel and Vodafone yesterday said they plan to approach the Delhi High Court over telecom tribunal's directive not to stay the DoT's spectrum allocation process.

UNI