The debate over whether 2G and 3G spectrum should be priced equivalently will go on forever. While the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has said that they are equivalent and that 2G spectrum in the 900 MHz band is even better than 3G spectrum in the 2100 MHz band, telecom companies that have got 2G spectrum are saying 2G is a lot less efficient ( “DoT may reject Trai’s 2G pricing recommendation”, May 18) — which is why the government is examining the Trai recommendations in this connection. The debate is irrelevant and can be argued in either way — it can be argued, for instance, that as long as 2G handsets are cheaper, 2G is more profitable, so the 2G spectrum should cost more. And if the government decides to re-farm spectrum, and allot 900 MHz for 3G, this will surely be better than 3G in the 2100 MHz band.
Ajay Singh, New Delhi
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