Telcos to govt: Delicensing E&V bands to create non level playing field; want transparent auction

NEW DELHI: Telecom operators have urged the Indian government to allocate spectrum in E & V bands through “transparent auction” on an immediate basis instead of de-licensing it.

Delicensing of these bands will “tilt the level playing field” against licensed telecom service providers (TSPs) since they are burdened with various costs like spectrum acquisition, License Fee, Spectrum Usage Charge and right of way, COAI said.

“With de-licensing of such important spectrum bands, mobile broadband backhaul would be severely constrained. In addition, neither the roll out obligation can be imposed nor the operator will be keen for seeking returns on investment as they are not paying any amount for this spectrum. Therefore, efficient use of E & V band cannot be guaranteed,” COAI director general S P Kocchar said in a letter dated September 28 to telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.