TDSAT admits COAI plea to adjourn spectrum hearing
TDSAT admits COAI plea to adjourn spectrum hearing
PTI
New Delhi: On a petition filed by GSM operators, telecom tribunal TDSAT has agreed to adjourn the hearing on the case on spectrum allocation but with a rider that GSM operators would take responsibility of delaying the adjudication process.
“We would request upon the parties that whosoever chooses to challenge the order of the learned Single Judge (Delhi High Court, which rejected COAI’s petition last month), in a higher forum, would bring this order to the notice of the Bench at the time of first hearing," said TDSAT bench headed by Justice Arum Kumar.
Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had earlier asked TDSAT for an early hearing in the matter of dual technology and spectrum allocation norms as any delay would cause them enormous losses.
COAI is, however, yet to take a decision on whether to challenge Delhi High Court’s decision in the Division Bench or move to Supreme Court. Dismissing COAI’s petition on August 22 challenging government’s policy, the High Court had also imposed a cost of ₹ 50,000 each on cellular operators.
The TDSAT was to start final hearing today on the petition. “An impression is made outside that we are delaying the process," said Justice Arun Kumar.
He also reminded the GSM lobby that to avoid any further delay in the final hearing, TDSAT had suo motto listed the matter after directing BSNL and MTNL to file their replies.
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