The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)?s new 2G spectrum pricing parameters confirm a substantial loss to the exchequer on account of the spectrum sale in 2008 at 2001 prices, according to news reports.
A detailed analysis by four experts for TRAI indicates a loss of about Rs 1.24 trillion, which is about 30 per cent short of the Rs 1.76 trillion loss estimated by the CAG on the basis of last year?s 3G auction prices.
Calculations of the 2010 value of 2G spectrum in the 1800 MHz band effectively eliminates the argument that CAG?s loss estimates were presumptive. All operators who benefited from former Minister of Telecommunications and IT A. Raja?s decisions of January 2008 have been assigned spectrum in 1800 MHz band.
