Telcos may get spectrum for 10 years

iS THAT ME

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Telcos may get spectrum for 10 years

Mobile phone companies may to shell out significantly lower amounts for airwaves in the upcoming auctions if the panel of ministers on spectrum sale accepts a proposal to sell this scarce resource for a 10-year period.

The Telecom Commission, the highest decision making body of the communications ministry, will present the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, the option of halving the airwaves tenure to 10 years.

Currently, airwaves sold through auctions, or even those that were issued to companies bundled with their mobile permits are valid for 20 years. A reduced tenure will bring down the reserve price of the airwaves in the sale process.

Last month, sector regulator Trai had proposed that mobile phone companies that lost their permits after the Supreme Court cancelled licences awarded in the scandal-tainted 2008 sale, as well as incumbents, pay a minimum of Rs 3,622 for every unit of 2G spectrum in the 1800 MHz band.

All operators had slammed the regulator and termed the reserve price as being 'exorbitantly high' while also warning that the steep increase in spectrum costs could lead to a 100% hike in tariffs. "We have asked Trai to work out the reserve price if the spectrum is given for a 10-year period . Halving the period of possession of airwaves does not imply that the reserve price will be 50% of what Trai had recommended earlier.

This is one of the options that will be presented to the EGoM," Telecom secretary R Chandrasekhar told ET. The EGoM that will take a final call on all issues related to spectrum auctions is scheduled to have its first meeting on June 5.

The Telecom Commission (TC) is also of the view that a 10-year tenure for spectrum will enable mobile phone companies to raise the requisite funds. Chandrasekhar said that selling airwaves for a 10-year period had a slew of advantages and disadvantages for both the government and companies.

"The upside is that telcos have to pay less, but at the same time, a 10-year tenure adds to the uncertainties. If technological advancements allow airwaves to be used for different types of services, the value of spectrum will go up," he added.

-Times Of India
 
Now, the end user will suffer from high tariffS.

Just forget 6p/s or 2p/s or 10p/min.
 
AsitPaul said:
Now, the end user will suffer from high tariffS.

Just forget 6p/s or 2p/s or 10p/min.
As usual, Bad move by TRAI...
Its neither operator friendly not consumer friendly !
 
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