Tata’s GSM foray faces tumble block

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sought legal cover from the Solicitor General Ghulam E Vahanvati on treatment of Tata’s request for GSM spectrum allocation and appropriate methodology for grant of new UAS licenses and spectrum.
Following the announcement of dual technology spectrum policy by DoT, Tata Tele Services Limited (TTSL) applied for GSM spectrum in 20 CDMA circles on October 22, 2007. The GSM industry has legally challenged DoT’s policy of allowing CDMA firms access to GSM spectrum in TDSAT.
The issue of granting new UAS licenses is more complex. Offering four alternatives for granting license or spectrum to 575 applicants, DoT’s brief for legal opinion explains that first-come-first-served system was followed when the numbers of applicants were limited and all applicants were assured that they would get spectrum in near future. However at present the number of applicants is very large and spectrum limited.