The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to extend the deadline for completion of 4G network rollouts by another five years. The government had allocated 4G spectrum to telecom service providers in the auction in 2010, with specific rollout targets for the spectrum winners. The operators were supposed to achieve the network rollout within a five year period which expires in 2015. In case telecom operators fail to meet the deadline of 2015, DoT will impose penalties on the companies.
COAI is of the view that the lack of a global technology ecosystem and slow government processes are the reasons for the delay in meeting the rollout obligation deadline.
So far, only Bharti Airtel and Aircel have been able to start its 4G services amongst all the telecom operators which won the spectrum in different circles. Meanwhile, players like Tikona and Augere are yet to announce their 4G plans. Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited is in the process to rollout the 4G network.
