GSM body opposes mixed-band offer to CDMA

GSM operators have opposed the government's plan to offer a mixed-band (1,900-1,910 MHz spectrum) to their rivals, CDMA operators, alleging they (GSM operators) will lose Rs 2,000-3,000 crore to them.

"The mixed-band plan has not been implemented anywhere in the world, and this plan has not been certified by any international body. The trials are meaningless as they will not lead to any conclusive decision," Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI), the GSM operators' body, said in a letter to the Telecom Commission.

The letter, also sent to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), said, "There will be a wastage of spectrum in the guard band as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recommended reserve price for IMT-2000 spectrum means a financial implication of Rs 2,000-3,000 crore".

According to an industry analyst, the financial losses would be a result of the need to provide additional equipment to users to insulate them from "harmful interference" by the mixed-band plan. COAI Director-General TV Ramachandran confirmed the development.

The letter states the country cannot afford to adopt a solution that is not globally harmonised. The CDMA operators are asking for 1900-1910 MHz spectrum to offer 3G services in the country.

However, this is detrimental for the GSM operators as it causes "harmful interferences and loss of spectrum efficiencies," states the letter.

Despite opposition from the GSM operators, the CDMA operators conducted tests in Hyderabad after receiving the DoT's approval.

"The tests were done without the knowledge and involvement of the GSM operators, who are the affected parties and victims of these trials," said Ramachandran. The letter alleged the tests were done on a limited number of base transceiver stations (BTS), ignoring the fact that GSM operators have over 71,000 BTS. This meant the results of the trials would not lead to any conclusive decisions and would not be "acceptable" to the GSM industry, said the letter.