Spectrum generates more heat

GSM, CDMA-based operators' war turns ugly, players accuse each other of misleading govt.

The tussle between GSM and CDMA-based operators on spectrum allocation has turned ugly with the industry associations representing both technological platforms accusing each other of having misled the parliamentary standing committee on information technology. The committee had recently submitted its report on the issue.

Following a letter by the Cellular Operators Association of India (the body representing all GSM players) to MM Pallam Raju, who chaired the committee last week, the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers (AUSPI "" the CDMA body) today submitted a "point-wise response" to all the allegations made in the letter.

Listing the details of the earlier submissions made by the GSM lobby to the department of telecommunication (DoT), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the House panel, the AUSPI has pointed out that "the Cellular Operators Association of India has been giving contradictory statements".

It said when the House panel raised the issue of spectrum efficiency, the Cellular Operators Association of India "did not respond, but desired GSM to continue because the world is going the GSM way."

The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers has also maintained that the GSM lobby has misled the House panel through incorrect submissions stating that there was no roll-out criteria for its operators.

Besides, AUSPI has added that the GSM lobby did not respond to the panel's finding that there was a discrimination against CDMA operators with regard to spectrum allocation.

Terming the GSM operators' charge that they did not have 100 Mhz spectrum as "theoretical fiction", AUSPI has said even DoT in its submission before the panel had stated that "in the case of GSM operators, 100 Mhz of spectrum is available whereas in the case of CDMA only 20 Mhz is available."

It also said that CDMA operators were eligible to use the 1800 Mhz frequency as they had migrated to the universal access service licence.

Both the lobbies have also locked horns with conflicting claims over the availability of CDMA equipment in the 2.1 Ghz frequency.

The House panel has also received "proof" to substantiate AUSPI's claim that GSM operators can offer 3G in 900/1800 Mhz band.

AT LOGGERHEADS CDMA operators allege GSM players are...

Giving contradictory statements at different times

Saying GSM should continue because "the world is going the GSM way"

Misleading the House Panel on account of incorrect submissions by stating there was no roll-out criteria for its operators

Not responding to the panel's finding of discrimination against CDMA operators with regard to spectrum allocation