Broadbandindia Magazine

The telecom regulator has told the Government that it should explore allotting 3G spectrum to more than one CDMA-based mobile operator.

There are four CDMA-based mobile players in the country for whom the Department of Telecom is yet to specify the roadmap for adoption third generation mobile technology.

As of now, the DoT is planning to auction spectrum to only one CDMA player as it does not have spectrum to accommodate more players. However, the telecom regulator has suggested that optimum utilisation of existing users in the 800 Mhz band could free up enough spectrum for one more player. The recently announced information memorandum for 3G auction had not specified the policy for CDMA players.

The Association of Unified Telecom Service Provider had written to the Government that limiting 3G auction to GSM operators would destroy the level playing field.