BSNL on waiting mode for 4G spectrum allocation as DoT seeks TRAI opinion
At a time when telecom companies, like Reliance Jio and Airtel, are set to launch 5G services in India, the government is yet to allot 4G spectrum license to the miniratna company which it had sought in 2017.
- Mar 17, 2019,
- Updated Mar 17, 2019 3:37 PM IST
The Department of Telecom has sent a communication to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) seeking its opinions on the issue of allocating 4G spectrum to state-owned BSNL outside auction under a preferential equity infusion route, according to IANS.
According to a Supreme Court judgement, spectrum cannot be allotted to any operator on preferential basis, it can only be sold through auction only. "Any disposal of a natural resource for commercial use must be for revenue maximisation, and thus by auction, is based neither on law nor on logic," the apex court had said in its verdict on auctions and airwaves in 2012.
As per the agency report, the telecom regulator will now study whether state-owned telecom companies could be exempted from the rule set by the apex court.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) needs approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for 4G spectrum, though it is providing 4G services using new Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in some circles. At a time when telecom companies, like Reliance Jio and Airtel, are set to launch 5G services in India, the government is yet to allot 4G spectrum license to the miniratna company which it had sought in 2017.
In a letter to TRAI, the DoT sought its views if 4G spectrum can be given to BSNL outside auction as the government entities do not participate in the bidding process, IANS quoted official sources as saying.
BSNL to release February salaries of its employees today, says CMD Anupam Shrivastava
The Department of Telecom has sent a communication to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) seeking its opinions on the issue of allocating 4G spectrum to state-owned BSNL outside auction under a preferential equity infusion route, according to IANS.
According to a Supreme Court judgement, spectrum cannot be allotted to any operator on preferential basis, it can only be sold through auction only. "Any disposal of a natural resource for commercial use must be for revenue maximisation, and thus by auction, is based neither on law nor on logic," the apex court had said in its verdict on auctions and airwaves in 2012.
As per the agency report, the telecom regulator will now study whether state-owned telecom companies could be exempted from the rule set by the apex court.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) needs approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for 4G spectrum, though it is providing 4G services using new Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in some circles. At a time when telecom companies, like Reliance Jio and Airtel, are set to launch 5G services in India, the government is yet to allot 4G spectrum license to the miniratna company which it had sought in 2017.
In a letter to TRAI, the DoT sought its views if 4G spectrum can be given to BSNL outside auction as the government entities do not participate in the bidding process, IANS quoted official sources as saying.
BSNL to release February salaries of its employees today, says CMD Anupam Shrivastava