TRAI delaying 2G spectrum pricing: DoT

?

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) says it has been unable to decide on 2G spectrum pricing, due to delays caused by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

The Prime Minister?s Office (PMO) had asked DoT the status of TRAI?s recommendations on the subject. DoT has told the PMO the first set of recommendations from TRAI came on 11 May 11, after which the regulator asked it to await a few more recommendations.

TRAI says it is in the process of taking expert advice to work out the 2G spectrum pricing formula. It had, in May, suggested linking the 2G spectrum price with the price discovered through auction of 3G spectrum.

It also recommended re-framing of the 900 Mhz spectrum. The regulator also said the operators should be made to pay market rates for spectrum when their licences become due for a 10-year renewal from 2014.