The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has urged said the telecom ministry to slash the 3G spectrum price from Rs 3,705 crore per MHz which is 35 percent higher than the price recommended by the TRAI.
“This type of auction would leave less residual money in the hands of the telecom operators for the expeditious rolling out of the much-desired expansion in the data services which are the need of the country for national economic development,” said ASSOCHAM Telecom Council Chairman TV Ramachandran.
Mobile data services are growing 100 percent and this resulting in a severe crunch on the requisite spectrum and impairing the quality of service to the customers.
The high cost of 3G spectrum could compel operators to raise retail prices for economic viability.
The Indian telecom industry is disturbed that despite another 15 MHz of 2100 MHz spectrum having been agreed for swapping, this is not included in the auction quantity.
ASSOCHAM recommends that the current 5 MHz and the swap spectrum of 15 MHz i.e. a total of 20 Mhz should be put up now on 5 March for auction in order to achieve a fair and reasonable auction.
editor@telecomlead.com
