Telecom industry divided on backhaul spectrum

New Delhi: After satellite spectrum, the telecom industry stands divided over the allocation of backhaul airwaves. While older telcos – Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea – want allocation on an administrative basis or without auctions to continue, Reliance Jio is pitching for a ‘sale-to-the -highest-bidder’ mechanism as the preferred way to allocate such airwaves.

As per officials aware of the details, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has been conducting informal meetings with the telcos ahead of a consultation paper on the allocation of backhaul and E and V spectrum bands.