To find out whether they’ll be allowed to share 3G spectrum with each other, network providers in India will have to cool their heels a while as TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) suggestions on this matter have been hit with a delay. While all was supposed to be made clear at a meeting today (June 13), DoT (Department of Telecommunications) has had a change of mind.
The much-awaited decision on 3G spectrum sharing will now be taken based on suggestions produced by TRAI. It is following the receipt of these recommendations that DoT will head to TS (Telecom Commission) which will in turn make the final decision on several pending issues, prime among which is that of sharing of course.
Apart from that, there’s also the matter of full mobile number portability awaiting proper directives from TRAI or the whichever body is concerned. While users can now keep their old numbers while switching network providers, this is only allowed if the new service is from the same area. Full mobile number portability will permit such a task to be undertaken anywhere within the country, giving lots of flexibility to customers.
According to The Economic Times, telecom operators from India have been asking for 3G spectrum sharing liberalization for a long time with the argument that they had paid a market determined price for purchasing 3G spectrum. And their case has grown very strong due to a recent development which involves a TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal) order which started allowing 3G intra-circle roaming agreements between operators.
When will TRAI declare its 3G spectrum sharing recommendations to the DoT? When will this authority submit them to TC? And when will a final decision be reached? These are questions that telecom operators are begging to be answered.