According to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications? (DoT) Wireless Planning Cell, Uninor, Datacom , S Tel, Loop and Etisalat, jointly hold roughly 375.2 MHz of 2G GSM spectrum or 27.13 per cent of all spectrum allocated to date.
These players serve 4.8 per cent of the total subscriber base. This figure includes the erstwhile BPL?s Mumbai circle, taking Loop’s share in the total subscriber base up to 3.18 million.
Also, the two dual operators, Reliance Telecom and Tata Teleservices limited (TTSL) account for 192.2 MHz or 13.9 per cent of GSM spectrum in addition to their CDMA spectrum.
Dual technology operators serve 27 per cent of the total user base. Reliance Telecom and TTSL hold about 5 MHz of CDMA spectrum in each of the 22 telecom circles in addition to their GSM allotment.
Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, Idea Cellular and Aircel hold 605.2 MHz or 43.79 per cent of the total GSM spectrum to serve 53.7 per cent of the total subscriber base.
Of this, TRAI?s data reveals that 12 per cent or 72.4 MHz is excess spectrum beyond the contracted amount.
Also, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) jointly hold 210.4 MHz or 15.21 per cent of GSM spectrum, with additional access to significant quantities of CDMA spectrum. Jointly, the two serve 11.68 per cent of India’s subscriber base.
