TTSL, RCom in war of words over 2G dual technology licence

New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Tata Teleservices and RCom weretonight locked in a war of words with the Tata firm attackingthe Anil Ambani group company comparing itself with it on theissue of gettiing 2G dual technology licences.

In a late night statement, RCom described as frivolousthe grounds raised by Tata group against them on the issue ofdual tech approval which was rejected by the Delhi High Courtway back in 2008 and TDSAT in 2009.

"Very suspicious to see Shri Ratan Tata suddenlydisowning Tata Teleservices as not being ''Ratan Tata''scompany'' - there appears to be more than meets the eye.

"Shri Ratan Tata putting a distance between himself andhis group, and Tata Tele, completely in conflict withdocuments, letters etc. on record," the statement said.

Earlier in the day, TTSL in reply to RCom''s statementyesterday said that it was unfair to compare as RCom and othertwo operators got the dual technology licences even before thepolicy was announced in 2007.

RCom had said that its application was "on identicalterms and payment of identical fees as the three othercompanies --Shri Ratan Tata group''s Tata Teleservices,Himachal Futuristic Communications and Shyam Telecom (nowknown as Sistema) -- and there is nothing special or untowardin the same."

TTSL''s statement came in response to RCom''s claim that ithad to wait since February 2006 for more than 18 months to getthe dual technology (GSM and CDMA) licence.

TTSL said that it "was the only operator, amongst thosenamed above, to apply for Dual-Technology Licence after the 19October 2007 announcement by the DoT and it is hence unfairand incorrect to compare TTSL with the other applicants, whohad applied before the policy was announced."

"It is indeed special and intriguing that RCom and twoother operators applied and got DoT approval even before thepolicy was announced," it added.

TTSL said while RCom was allotted spectrum in all circlesimmediately in January 2008, it got approval after 83 days.

"TTSL, even after three years, is still awaiting spectrumallocation in the crucial Delhi Circle and in 39 commerciallycrucial districts in 9 telecom circles," it said.

The grant of dual technology approval to RCom in October,2007, has been upheld by the Delhi High Court by a judgementin August, 2008, and by the Telecom Tribunal TDSAT in 2009.

The CAG had pointed out that the DoT favoured RCom injumping the queue for grant of GSM spectrum ahead of others.

Over the past several weeks, as part of investigationspursuant to the Supreme Court''s orders, the CBI is reportedlyexamining a large number of telecom firms and their officialsin relation to various matters from 2001 to 2008.

TTSL clarified the company and the Tata Group were notfamily-owned or family-run concerns or owned by Ratan Tata.

"Hence, to refer to them as ''Shri Ratan Tata group''s TataTeleservices Ltd'' is not appropriate," it added.