Spectrum panel invites GSM, CDMA players for talks

The panel constituted by the Centre to review the spectrum allocation norms as recommended by the Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) today met here and decided to seek views of all the stakeholders "" GSM and CDMA operators "" and experts.

After detailed discussion during the first meeting of the committee today, it has been decided to invite all the stakeholders on November 26 and November 30 before the report is finalised.

The TEC had given its report on spectrum allocation norms earlier this month, suggesting manifold increase in the subscribers for the additional frequency requirements.

Communications Minister A Raja had accepted the report in-principle, but in view of strong protests from the GSM operators "" Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular "" the Centre had constituted a panel to revisit the TEC report.

The committee, headed by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Additional Secretary R Bandhopadhyay, will be meeting for full day on November 26 and November 30, an official statement said here.