TRAI asks DoT to refer back before deciding

NEW DELHI, INDIA: TRAI chairman has today asked Department of Telecom to refer back to TRAI in case there is any difference of opinion before taking any important decision pertaining to the industry.

"You will kindly note that all the recommendations contained therein are integral recommendations. As such if DoT has any difference of opinion on any one of those recommendations, the same may be referred back to us for the authority’s view and clarification, before DoT takes a decision," stated a letter issued by Dr JS Sarma, Chairman, TRAI to DoT Secretary.

In the letter, TRAI chairman has reiterated that the authority will come up with separate consultation paper on the issues involved in the refarming of 800 and 900 MHz. In the recommendation issued on Spectrum Management and Licensing Framework, the authority has already mentioned it shall endeavor to give its recommendations before the licenses come up for renewal.

Sarma, in his communication, has re-emphasized for DoT to take note of para 3.82, which mentions that the 3G prices be adopted as the ‘current price’ of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band and at the same time, the authority is separately initiating an exercise to further study this subject and would apprise the government of its findings.