Enough spectrum after issuance to RCom: Govt tells TDSAT

Government on Wednesday said that enough spectrum would be available for existing as well as new players after allotting the radio frequency to Reliance Communication for its GSM operations.

Appearing before telecom tribunal TDSAT on behalf of the government, Solicitor General G E Vahanvati rubbished GSM operators' claims that no spectrum would be left if alloted to Anil Ambani group's RCom.

"It's absolutely nonsense that after giving spectrum to RCom no spectrum would be left. We will show this to you during the next hearing on January 24," Solicitor General said.

He assured that the government would utilise the available spectrum in an efficient manner.

The government reply came when TDSAT chairman Arun Kumar asked about a report on spectrum by Telecom Engineering Centre and the expert committee set up by it.

Meanwhile, Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) adjourned the hearing on GSM operators' petition on spectrum allocation and crossover technology amid confusion over a High Court order on the issue.

Hearing a petition filed by GSM operators' lobby COAI against TDSAT directions allowing DoT to allocate spectrum and issue licences, the Delhi High Court on January 3 had directed some telcos to file their replies.

In its earlier order, TDSAT had directed only DoT to file its reply. Consequently, the tribunal accepted the reply filed by DoT and refused to submit the reply filed by other telcos.

During the proceeding, TDSAT chairman rejected COAI's request for hearing by saying that "without reply I could not proceed ahead in this matter. How can I go ahead in this case without giving them (telcos) an opportunity".

GSM lobby group COAI pressed hard to argue the matter as it had received the replies filed by some of the operators.

"We do not want to be an objector. We are ready to argue this matter," said the counsel appearing for Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

COAI also contended that it was not against the allotment of LoI, but its appeal against the decision to allow crossover technology is to be heard urgently.

Replying to it, Justice Kumar said: "On this, I would certainly like to hear that side's story also" and adjourned the matter to January 24 directing the Companies file their replies within a week.

The tribunal also directed government-controlled firms BSNL and MTNL to file their replies within a week.