GSM operators express concern over UAS licenses

New Delhi, Sept 11 (UNI) The GSM operators today expressed their concern over recent reports that many telecom companies have recently applied for the Universal Access Service Licenses (UASL) as they fear this may lead to circumventing the telecom policy and license restrictions.

In a letter to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Chairman D S Mathur, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) Chief T V Ramachandran said, ''We wish to again draw your attention to the various conditions in the telecom licenses and telecom policy restricting cross-holdings and request that the license conditions be strictly enforced.'' The telecom policy recognises that spectrum is a limited national resource. No single company or a group of associated companies can be permitted to monopolise spectrum in any service area.

In this context, it is imperative for the DoT to ensure that the objectives of the telecom policy and the terms of license conditions are not circumvented through the use of corporate personality.

''We trust that DoT will not allow license conditions and telecom policy requirements to be breached by any group or entity.

We again emphasise that no group or economic entity should be permitted to monopolise spectrum in any service area and all license conditions must be strictly enforced,'' the letter stated.

UNI