GSM operators urge govt for more spectrum

New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) The GSM mobile operators urged the government to make available requisite spectrum to them as per the criteria laid down by Department of Telecom (DOT).

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) Director General T V Ramachandran said the GSM operators had been facing a severe spectrum crunch and have been waiting for months or even years to get spectrum.

He stated that the non-availability of spectrum was affecting both new licensees who were yet to get their initial allotments and also the operators who had far exceeded the subscriber linkages that had been prescribed by the government.

The extent of delay was as much as almost three years in some cases and that non availability of spectrum for such long periods was affecting the operators both financially as well as hampering their ability to commence network rollout and/or expand their networks and also in maintaining proper and necessary quality of service, he said.

Mr Ramachandran stated that several applications for allotment of spectrum had been cleared by all the relevant competent authorities.

He expressed concern that despite such clearances, the actual allotments had still not taken place.

UNI