TRAI paper on 3G spectrum pricing next week

By agencies   |   Tuesday, 30 May 2006, 19:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: After the Department of Telecom volleyed the issue of allocation and pricing of spectrum for 3G mobile services to its court, regulator TRAI is all set to release a paper next week to gauge stakeholders' views. "Four days ago, we received the letter from DoT asking us to give our recommendations on the methodology of 3G spectrum allocation and pricing. We have worked out a plan which would kickstart next week with the release of an issue paper", the TRAI Chairman, Nripendra Misra said. He, however, declined to comment on whether 3G spectrum should be priced or not, saying the transparent and the fairest way to settle the matter was to get views of the stakeholders and look at this specific issue afresh since a lot has already been spoken about it of late. ''It is premature to talk about whether 3G spectrum should be priced or not'', he said. TRAI last year had given its recommendations on the entire issue of spectrum, including pricing of 3G spectrum, where it suggested that 3G spectrum should be given free as it is an extension of 2G or 2.5G services which the operators are offering at present.