TRAI to restart recommendation process for CDMA spectrum auction reserve price

Advertisement
By Press Trust of India | Updated: 19 November 2013 14:47 IST
TRAI to restart recommendation process for CDMA spectrum auction reserve price
Telecom regulator TRAI has told the government that it cannot suggest a price for auction of spectrum in CDMA-band in the stipulated 15 days and the process needs to be started afresh if reserve price for such airwaves is to be set.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had in September proposed a cut of up to 60 percent in the minimum auction prices for mobile phone spectrum used by GSM technology players like Airtel and Vodafone, but recommended no auction of 800 MHz spectrum used by CDMA players.

The regulator was criticised for allegedly favouring GSM service providers and last week the Telecom Commission asked TRAI to recommend the reserve price for 800 MHz band within 15 days.

Sources said TRAI replied back saying its has responded in full on the original reference made to it and if the government wants it to suggest a price for 800 MHz spectrum, it should come as a fresh reference so that process can be started afresh.

TRAI in its reply to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said: "The Authority is of the opinion that the action on original reference is over and done with. There can be no continuing reference to that earlier reference. It is now for the central government to take a final decision."

Last week, DoT explained TRAI that E-GSM band required vacation of spectrum by the Defence Ministry which is likely to take time and keeping unsold spectrum in the 800 Mhz band would result in forgone revenues for government.

TRAI, however, has said that the last week communication cannot be in continuation with earlier reference on which it has already given its recommendation and government needs to clari iy if it is is a fresh reference.

Advertisement

"The reference dated November 12, 2013 is a new reference and TRAI will be able to proceed with the matter if it is clarified and confirmed that this is fresh statutory reference seeking recommendation of the Authority," TRAI said.

The regulator further slammed DoT for asking to send recommendation preferably within 15 days.

Advertisement

"There is no provision in the TRAI Act which enables the stipulation of time limits. There is also no provision which allows for a preference on time limits to be indicated by the DoT. Hence, it is clearly not appropriate for the DoT to presume that it can suggest a time limit, even as a preference" TRAI said.

 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: CDMA, DoT, TRAI, spectrum, telecom
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Amazon Prime Day 2025 Sale Is Live: Best Tech Deals
  1. Meteorite From Outer Solar System Challenges Planet Formation Timeline in Early Solar System
  2. NASA’s Hubble and Webb Discover Bursting Star Formation in Small Magellanic Cloud
  3. New Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Could Reveal Secrets of Distant Worlds
  4. Companion Now Streaming on JioHotstar: What You Need to Know About American Sci-Fi Thriller Movie
  5. Heart Eyes Now Available for Rent on Amazon Prime Video: What You Need to Know
  6. Scientists Recreate Cosmic Ray Physics Using Cold Atom in New Laboratory Study
  7. Scientists Say Dark Matter Could Turn Failed Stars Into ‘Dark Dwarfs’
  8. New Gel-Based Robotic Skin Feels Touch, Heat, and Damage Like Human Flesh
  9. Flipkart GOAT Sale 2025 Begins on July 12 for All Customers Alongside Amazon Prime Day Sale
  10. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Tipped to Get 200-Megapixel Sony Camera Sensor
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.