25.4.12

Telecom tangle

The Supreme Court has ordered the government to conduct 2G spectrum auctions and grant licences by August 31, rejecting the Centre’s plea that it required 400 days to complete the process but creating fresh ambiguity about the modalities of the sale.The court allowed the nine mobile companies whose licences were cancelled earlier this year to continue operations till September 7, extending its earlier deadline of June 2. 
The apex court’s decision comes a day after the telecom regulator, Trai, said at the most only one incumbent and one of these nine companies will be able to get spectrum in the auctions that will be held this year. 
The SC directive has created some confusion about whether the government is obliged to invite bids for all the cancelled airwaves in the 1800 MHz band used by the operators whose licences have been cancelled or whether it should follow the 
regulator’s recommendation of a limited price discovery auction this year followed by a fullblown auction next year. A telecom department official said the final decision will be taken by the Pranab Mukherjee-headed empowered group of ministers on spectrum. 

No comments: