GSM operators' lobby COAI has denied the allegations of being undemocratic, non-transparent and biased by one its core members, the Tatas, and said the observations are born out of frustration rather than fact.
Tata Teleservices (TTSL) today resigned from the core membership of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), saying the association was representing the views of only a few select old and big players and had termed the functioning of COAI as "undemocratic, biased, non-transparent and unethical".
"TTSL is a member of two associations -- AUSPI (a lobby group of CDMA operators) and COAI. So it is obvious that there is a conflict of interest... This type of observation is probably borne out of frustration, rather than fact," COAI Director-General Rajan Mathews told PTI, reacting to the allegations made by TTSL.
"COAI vehemently denies the allegations. It has always followed rules and regulations of the association. It is unfortunate that people should try and use the association for narrow parochial interests," Mathews added.
The COAI has players like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular as its core members. Sanjay Kapoor, the CEO of Bharti Airtel, was elected chairman of the COAI last week.