BackTRAI tries next phase of telecom reforms,GSM cos feel the heat
TRAI tries next phase of telecom reforms,GSM cos feel the heat
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New Delhi, 29 August Initiating the next phase of reforms in the telecom sector, TRAI today said there can’t be any cap on the number players in a circle and operators should be given the option of offering wireless services through GSM and CDMA technologies.
Releasing its recommendations on review of licence terms and conditions and capping of number of access providers, TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra said, “TRAI has tried to remove barriers to competition and efficiency in the market and increase affordability of services to common man and protection of consumer interest."
“Our effort has been to enhance efficiency in utilisation of radio spectrum," he said, adding technology-neutrality and a level-playing field have been given a chance.
GSM operators association COAI, which was in favour of capping the number of players in a circle saying unlimited number of players lead to spectrum constraints, today had a different take on this.
COAI Director General TV Ramachandran in a statement said COAI and the GSM industry have always welcomed and will continue to welcome open and healthy competition on level playing field terms.
Anil Ambani’ s Reliance Communications, a CDMA player, will be the biggest beneficiary if TRAI’s suggestion of allowing companies to offer wireless services through both GSM and CDMA technologies gets approved by DoT.
The regulator has also reduced the marketshare limit in case of a merger to 40% in terms of subscriber or revenue from the present 67%. GSM operators wanted the 67 % marketshare criteria to be be retained.
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