GSM industry urges optimal spectrum for existing operators

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) The Country's GSM industry today urged the Government to ensure optimal spectrum for existing operators.

In a letter written to Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) GSM's apex body, has pointed out that the concern of the industry was not on account of the extent of competition, but because of the limited availability of spectrum.

The letter also stated that both policy as well as regulation mandated that once a license has been granted to offer wireless services, the licensee must be assured of adequate and optimal bandwidth to maintain proper and necessary QoS standards.

COAI Director General TV Ramachandran also pointed out that it was the government that had sought the recommendations of TRAI on the issue of determining the number of access provider in each service area and it was TRAI's view in the Consultation Paper that ''unrestricted entry of access providers will put pressure on spectrum demand in a significant manner.'' The COAI submission to the DoT concluded by stating that the final decision on the number of players in a service area was entirely that of the government, with the industry's only request being that once a license was granted then the licensee must be assured of fair competition and level playing field and adequate and optimal spectrum, not only to maintain proper and necessary QOS standards but also to serve more subscribers in order to increase tele density to meet national telecom objectives.

Mr Ramachandran said that COAI and the GSM industry have always welcomed and would continue to welcome open and healthy competition on level playing field terms.

'' Given the fact that there were already upto eight operators in every service area, it was highly unlikely that the introduction of a ninth or even tenth player would unduly concern us from the point of view of extent of competition,'' he added.

UNI