As part of its three-tier spectrum allocation policy, the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing has proposed imposing a cap on the max imum number of GSM-based operators per circle to seven.

As part of its three-tier spectrum allocation policy, the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing has proposed imposing a cap on the maximum number of GSM-based operators per circle to seven. Though the move is aimed at curbing inefficient use of spectrum, it could hamper plans of global telecom companies such as Orange, TMobile, AFK Systema, Vodafone and AT&T Cingular, which have reportedly evinced interest in India. The proposal also reverses a decision made in 2003 to remove restrictions on the number of operators per circle.