<b>COAI vs DoT: </b> Hearing to resume today

Telecom tribunal TDSAT on Monday will resume hearing on the case filed by GSM operators against the Department of Telecommunication's (DoT) decision to allow dual technology for mobile telephony and raising the subscriber limit for giving additional spectrum.

GSM lobby Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) last week filed additional affidavits before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, questioning the authenticity of the expert committee report and allocation of additional spectrum to state-run firms BSNL and MTNL.

This affidavit would widen the scope of COAI's original petition challenging DoT's decision to allow operators to offer mobile services using both GSM and CDMA technologies simultaneously in the same circle.

In its report, the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) has also recommended that 4-15 times higher subscriber base for additional spectrum to existing GSM players.

COAI, which represents GSM firms such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone-Essar and Idea Cellular, had challenged the government's October 19 decision to permit CDMA operators into the GSM segment and enhancing subscriber linked criterion for allocation of additional spectrum.

Meanwhile, two GSM operators, Aircel and Spice, have decided to withdraw from the ongoing case. Aircel has already withdrawn its application, while Spice is yet to move an affidavit in TDSAT for the purpose.

The tribunal had admitted COAI's petition on October 24, but has not issued notices to anyone so far.

Meanwhile, after facing stiff opposition from the GSM lobby, the Department of Telecom has announced forming a panel to look into the TEC report on spectrum allocation.