Govt to start spectrum allocation to new players

Setting at rest the controversy over allocation of spectrum, the government on Wednesday said it would start apportioning air waves to new entrants including Reliance Communications under the dual technology clause - a process that the appellate telecom tribunal refused to stay.
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) refused to stay the issuance of new licenses to those who had applied as of September 25. Only yesterday, the Department of Telecom had started the process.
Appearing for DoT, Solicitor General G E Vahanvati told TDSAT that the government would go ahead with the allotment of start-up spectrum to the new players. He also said that Tata Teleservices' application for use of cross-over technology would be considered favourably.
Just before the TDSAT ruling, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said that spectrum should be allocated in a transparent and equitable manner to new entrants for encouraging competitiveness.