The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to extend the deadline for the rollout of 4G network by five years to 2020. DoT had auctioned the broadband wireless access spectrum used for 4G services in 2010 and the successful bidders are mandated to rollout network within five years ending July 2015.
However, so far, only Bharti Airtel and Aircel have launched 4G services in the country. The other successful bidders, Tikona, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited and Augere Wireless are yet to launch commercial 4G services.
COAI has sought an extension of the deadline for the network rollout citing the lack of a requisite device and network ecosystem as the prime factor for the difficulty in adhering to the deadlines. Further, the industry association is of the view that the delays in development of 4G technology and regulatory procedures have not allowed the operators to meet timely rollout obligations.
COAI has added that the 4G network requires more telecom towers and the permission for setting up the required infrastructure has been facing restriction from municipal bodies. Also, the telecom operators have faced severe delays in obtaining clearances from DoT for installing new mobile towers.
