Pvt telecom players seek level playing field in 3G

BANGALORE,INDIA: As the 3G-spectrum auction enters its last round, private operators have started pitching for a level-playing field.

The GSM industry body, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has written to the department of telecommunications saying that even the state-run BSNL and MTNL must be subjected to the same terms and conditions on the payment for the 3G spectrum as expected by the private operators.

According to a Indian Express Finance, Rajan S Mathews, director-general of COAI has written to the DoT secretary, P J Thomas expressing concern that the state-run telcos must not be exempted from the clause in the Notice Inviting Application that clearly states that all the successful spectrum winners must make payment within 10 calendar days of the auction and that BSNL and MTNL must be required to match the winning price achieved in the respective service areas in the 3G auction as payment for the alloted spectrum.

3G spectrum auctions have already raked more than 150 per cent of the reserve price that the government had set at the onset of the spectrum auction.

It may be noted here that BSNL has initiated steps to approach the government to give it a breather from matching the highest bid for at least the next two years.

(Anandita Singh Mankotia, Indian Express Finance)