Sibal says next spectrum auction by end of December, promises lower base prices
'Next set of auctions which are going to take place, we are looking by the end of December, hopefully. What will be set for floor price on which telecom operators will bid... will be, I think, relatively lower for them to make competitive bids,' Sibal in a video message on the occasion of re-branding of GSM industry body COAI.
He said the matter will be decided by inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission. The ministry will then send its views to the Empowered Group of Ministers, which will forward its recommendations to the Cabinet for the final decision. Meanwhile, a separate Inter-Ministerial Committee formed for overseeing auction modalities has tentatively set 7-8 January, 2014 to start the auctions.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended up 62 per cent reduction in base price of premium 2G spectrum and up to 37 per cent in case of radiowaves freed from the cancellation of 122 licences, compared to the amount fixed for previous auction.
The Telecom Commission has sought clarity on explanations given by Trai to lower reserve price and the next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 29 October. The Cellular Operators Association of India still finds the spectrum base price to be high compared to the rates in other part of the world.
'India has become a case of limited spectrum quantum availability and high reserve price per MHz of spectrum,' COAI chairman and Idea Cellular's managing director Himanshu Kapania said.
'We would be happy to see rationalisation in pricing of the spectrum to be in line with the Indian consumers' ability to pay for these services and attract serious investors to invest in the business,' he added.
COAI unveils new brand identity
New Delhi: Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the mobile telecommunications industry body, unveiled its new logo and brand identity on Friday. The updated brand identity represents a significant shift in COAI’s overall vision and objectives.
The new logo represents the transition from a dominant voice to a dominant data environment and a converging mobility business which calls for more inclusive approach to the entire sector.
He said the matter will be decided by inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission. The ministry will then send its views to the Empowered Group of Ministers, which will forward its recommendations to the Cabinet for the final decision. Meanwhile, a separate Inter-Ministerial Committee formed for overseeing auction modalities has tentatively set 7-8 January, 2014 to start the auctions.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended up 62 per cent reduction in base price of premium 2G spectrum and up to 37 per cent in case of radiowaves freed from the cancellation of 122 licences, compared to the amount fixed for previous auction.
The Telecom Commission has sought clarity on explanations given by Trai to lower reserve price and the next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for 29 October. The Cellular Operators Association of India still finds the spectrum base price to be high compared to the rates in other part of the world.
'India has become a case of limited spectrum quantum availability and high reserve price per MHz of spectrum,' COAI chairman and Idea Cellular's managing director Himanshu Kapania said.
'We would be happy to see rationalisation in pricing of the spectrum to be in line with the Indian consumers' ability to pay for these services and attract serious investors to invest in the business,' he added.
COAI unveils new brand identity
New Delhi: Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the mobile telecommunications industry body, unveiled its new logo and brand identity on Friday. The updated brand identity represents a significant shift in COAI’s overall vision and objectives.
The new logo represents the transition from a dominant voice to a dominant data environment and a converging mobility business which calls for more inclusive approach to the entire sector.