New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) The Telecom Commission, the highest policy-making forum in the communications ministry, will meet Thursday to take a call on the sector regulator's controversial recommendations on spectrum auction which have made the industry come up in arms.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended, among other proposals, a reserve price of Rs.3,622 crore for 1 MHz pan-India spectrum, which is around 10 times higher than the price at which 2G licences were allocated in 2008 under then Telecom Minister A. Raja.
The proposals have been highly criticised by the operators and independent analysts alike. Calling TRAI's recommendations a 'death knell' for the industry, the operators have also warned of a 100 percent hike in tariffs if the proposals are accepted.
According to a study conducted by consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), telecom tariffs are expected to rise by 90 paise a minute in metros and 20-34 paise on an average across the country if the sector regulator's recommendations on spectrum pricing are accepted.
Following constant opposition from the industry, the Department of Telecom (DoT) had asked the regulator to review the recommendations. However, TRAI largely retained its proposals on high reserve price even in the revised paper.
The recommendation comes in the wake of the Feb 2 Supreme Court order cancelling 122 telecom licences issued in 2008.
Samsung Galaxy 3 - July Release Expected for US - gamenguide.com
(Photo: http://www.fonearena.com) - Samsung Galaxy S3
Meanwhile, Samsung announced yesterday the details of the Canadian version of the S3, and will be available June 20th. Based on our proximity to our northern neighbors, as well as the US is expected to have the same technical specs as its Canadian counterpart, many presume the S3 will be available to us at the same time (give or take), though this isn't official.
Reports say that the S3 has been the most popular pre-ordered phone of the year, with Samsung reporting preorders totaling 9 million, a sign that Apple and the iPhone may actually be threatened. If this is the case, it's pretty easy to see why neither side wants to show their hand and make any kind of official announcement. But with both Apple and Samsung so tight lipped lately, what's a gadget geek to do?
Wonder what Motorola's up to...
National Telecom Policy 2012 to ensure strong roadmap for spectrum: Hemant Joshi - telecomlead.com
Hemant Joshi, partner, Deloitte Haskins & Sells
If the policy is properly implemented it would not only benefit telecom operators and consumers but would also benefit telecom manufacturing sector as telecom equipment manufacturing has been given special importance in the policy.
The approval has come at the right time as country's GDP growth rate is falling (it is at 9 year low).
Liberalization of spectrum
As per NTP 2012, the government is going to make roadmap for availability of spectrum every 5 years. This would result in appropriate allocation of spectrum and also help operators design there network / technology adoption keeping in view the availability of spectrum. NTP also envisage license and technology neutral spectrum allocation which is step in right direction considering evolving efficient technologies.
As per TRAI report, there is likely to be shortage of spectrum due to increase in usage of data / voice related telecom services and this new policy along with other initiative of the government (like vacation of spectrum used by other industries / govt bodies) if implemented effectively would result in availability of the spectrum required.
Roaming charges abolished under NTP
This would be negative in short term for operators as they would lose roaming revenue. However in the long run as usage would increase with no roaming charges might offset the revenue loss caused to the operators.
One India one license:
Same is likely to be beneficial to pan India operators as they would be required to maintain one set of book and also number of compliances would reduce significantly.
Number portability:
This is going to be boon for consumers as they would be able to retain the number even though they migrate from one telecom circle to other.
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