GSM players to contest TRAI theory of minor tariff hike
May 7th, 2012 - 8:56 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, May 7 (IANS) The heads of some telecom firms will meet Communications Minister Kapil Sibal Tuesday to contest the regulator’s contention that there would be only a minor increase in tariffs as a result of the steep hike in the reserve price of 2G spectrum.
The chief executive officers or regulatory heads of GSM players, including Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone, Uninor and Aircel will also inform the government about the possible effect of re-farming on industry and the consumers.
“In the previous meeting the minister had asked us to explain to him why is there a huge difference between our and TRAI’s calculation on the affect on tariffs post implementation of its recommendations,” a senior executive with a top telecom firm told IANS.
The telecom players have warned the government that there might be a 100 percent tariff hike while TRAI has been arguing that the change might be just 2 to 3 paise post the acceptance of its recommendations.
The firms will also question TRAI’s calculation of the reserve price and will suggest alternatives such as basing the reserve price on the auction price for BWA (broadband wireless access) spectrum, which is much lower and also of high value.
The operators will also explain to Sibal the problems associated with TRAI’s recommendations on refarming the 900 MHz band.
The Supreme Court Feb 2 had ordered the cancellation of 122 telecom licences and asked the government to redistribute the licences through auction.
In its recommendations for the auction, TRAI has recommended, among other proposals, a reserve price of Rs.3,622 crore for 1 MHz pan-India spectrum, which is around 10 times higher than the price at which 2G licences were allocated in 2008 under former Telecom Minister A. Raja.
The proposals have drew strong criticisms from the industry and sector watchers alike, following which the Telecom Commission has sought more information and clarifications from the regulator on its recommendations.
The operators have sought a drastic reduction in the reserve price of spectrum, rejection of recommendation on re-farming, auction all spectrum available and do away with rollout obligations for auctioned spectrum from the government.
- No decision on 2G pricing, EGoM favours refarming spectrum - Jun 05, 2012
- Re-farming of spectrum will harm incumbents: Assocham - May 19, 2012
- Reserve price of spectrum major concern: COAI - Jun 30, 2012
- Call rates can rise 100 percent, warn telecom operators - May 03, 2012
- EGoM to take final call Tuesday on spectrum pricing - Jun 04, 2012
- Uninor to file interim application in Supreme Court - May 01, 2012
- Operators urge Sibal to auction total spectrum, reduce reserve price - Apr 27, 2012
- TRAI sets high base price for 2G auction, operators cry foul (Lead) - Apr 23, 2012
- EGoM to recommend spectrum price, but cabinet to take call - Jul 20, 2012
- 2G spectrum base price decision deferred till Friday (Lead) - Jul 18, 2012
- EGoM to take final call on pricing and refarming of spectrum - May 26, 2012
- Telecom EGoM to recommend lower reserve price to cabinet for approval (Lead) - Jul 20, 2012
- Telecom Commission seeks clarity on TRAI proposals - Apr 30, 2012
- Telecom honchos to meet Sibal - May 02, 2012
- Telecom Commission to meet Thursday on TRAI recommendations - May 23, 2012
Tags: aircel, auction price, broadband wireless access, bwa, chief executive officers, clarifications, contention, crore, feb 2, idea cellular, kapil sibal, mhz band, paise, raja, steep hike, tariff hike, tariffs, telecom commission, telecom firm, telecom firms