RCom Vs the rest

According the recent press release from DoT “There should not be no cap on the number of access providers in any service area”. DoT had accepted the TRAI recommendations to have Unified Access Services (UAS) licenses are technology neutral and to enhance Subscriber link criterion for allocation of frequency spectrum. The existing UAS licensees may be permitted to expand their networks by using alternate wireless technology besides the one being currently used. A GSM operator can expand with CDMA and vice versa.” The spectrum for the alternate technology, CDMA or GSM shall be allocated in the applicable frequency band subject to availability after payment of prescribed fee. “, DoT said. Allocation of spectrum would be considered from the date of payment of prescribed fee. What if the date of payment is as same as press release? Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications paid Rs 1,651 crore to the DoT for spectrum allocation.This move enables RCom (which already runs GSM services in seven circles) to have pan india GSM presence. Soon the other CDMA player Tata also plans to follow the ADAG way. Obviously the DOT’s move doesn;t go well with the other GSM players the COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) - the association of GSM players which includes dominant players like Bharti Airtel , Vodafone and Idea Cellular plans to challenge the decision in the Telecom Dispute Tribunal. For subscribers, there’s reason to celebrate? RCom’s entry into the GSM space may trigger another price war and Isn’t enough for us.