core sector communique

TRAI Recommendations on 2G Pricing Not Appropriate

31^st March 2011

Rajan S Mathews, Director General commented on the recent recommendations by TRAI on 2G Spectrum Pricing. In his statement to the media based on the report by Analysys Mason on behalf of Idea Cellular, he stated that:

COAI has reviewed the analysis of the 2G pricing recommendations submitted to the DoT by the TRAI. An evaluation by economic and technical experts from Analysys Mason on behalf of IDEA Cellular has been carried out. We are pleased to note that yet another critical analysis of the TRAI Recommendations on 2G Pricing conducted by such a reputed firm, has pointed to the substantial flaws in the TRAI study and recommendations to the DoT. We believe that due to the many shortcomings in the TRAI study, the DoT should ignore it as a basis for deriving 2G spectrum pricing and the Government should move directly towards an early auction of available 2G spectrum. "

About COAI:

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) was constituted in 1995 as a registered, non-governmental society dedicated to the advancement of communication, particularly modern communication through Cellular Mobile Telephone Services. With a vision to establish and sustain a world-class cellular infrastructure and facilitate affordable mobile communication services in India, COAI's main objectives are to protect the common & collective interests of its members. Prominent private service providers and the infrastructure vendors are members of COAI, and work closely on various Industry issues.