Indian operators file appeal against Trai’s 2G plan

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular filed an appeal on Monday to the telecom tribunal against deeply-flawed recommendations by the regulator on the pricing of second-generation (2G) spectrum that they currently use.

The issue is crucial for incumbent mobile operators as paying higher fees for existing as well as future 2G spectrum will be a big financial burden for telcos, especially Bharti and Vodafone, as their profits have already come under pressure due to the intense tariff war.

On the first day of the auction for wireless broadband spectrum, bidding closed 35% higher than the reserve price of Rs 1,750 crore and it is expected to be as frenetic as the auction for 3G airwaves that lasted 34 days and delivered an unexpected bonanza of Rs 67,719 crore to the government.

According to analysts all over the world, operators will be aggressive in procuring BWA licenses in those circles where they did not obtain 3G licenses.