ISPs too want DoT to review WiMAX policy

[icar]

ISPs too want DoT to review WiMAX policy

After telecom regulator TRAI and the finance ministry, the department of telecom (DoT) is set to face further opposition to its WiMAX auction policy. The Internet Service Providers Association of India, the body representing all standalone ISPs, has decided to ask the DoT to review the WiMAX policy, failing which it plans to haul the communications ministry to the telecom tribunal. “We will approach the DoT over this issue next week,” ISPAI president Rajesh Charia told ET.

First, standalone ISPs do not want the base price for the WiMAX auction to be linked to that of 3G. At present, the policy stipulates that the base price for WiMAX spectrum auction will be 25% of that for 3G radio frequencies — this implies, the reserve price of a pan-India WiMAX licence comes to about Rs 505 crore.

“WiMAX is predominantly for wireless high speed internet or broadband services where the platform of usage is computers. On the other hand, 3G is for mobile services,” explained Mr Charia. According to him, if the auctions are carried out as per the base price proscribed in the policy, no ISP would be able to bid. “A minimum of one slot must be reserved for standalone ISPs. Here only ISPs should be permitted to bid against each other,” he added. ISPAI wants an alternate formula where its members be charged only 25% of the highest bid that a telco makes for WiMAX spectrum in that particular circle during the auction.

Meanwhile, as reported by ET first, ISPs such as Sify and Spectranet are also planning to haul the communications ministry to the courts over the government’s decision to take back the 2.5 GHz WiMAX spectrum allotted to them. Any move by ISPs to go to the courts over these issues could delay the WiMAX spectrum auctions which are scheduled to take place by the year-end. Besides, the DoT can only go ahead with the auction if ISPs vacate the radio frequencies they hold in the 2.5 GHz band.
ISPs too want DoT to review WiMAX policy- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

[rachit_1804]

mumbai mirror, 15th aug

Telecom, Finance Ministries spar over 3G spectrum policy


NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Communications lambasted the Finance Ministry on Thursday for questioning the procedure for 3G guidelines, saying the policy announcement was made after due consultations and there was no departure from the Cabinet’s decision.
“Since the spectrum pricing formula is auctioned, to which the Ministry of Finance is fully agreed, and the process – in which the Ministry of Finance is fully involved, we are consistent with the decision of the Cabinet,” Department of Telecom (DoT) said in a strong rebuttal to issues raised by Finance Ministry.
Pointing this out in a reply to a communication sent by Finance Secretary D Subbarao on Wednesday, Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura shot off a strongly worded letter the very next day, saying: “It is, therefore, surprising that the Ministry of Finance has now decided to express its reservations on procedural aspects.”
3G AUCTION ON SCHEDULE: RAJA
Asked about the issues raised by the Finance Ministry, Telecom Minister A Raja dismissed on Thursday any possibility of delay in 3G auction, saying: “As we promised, 3G auction will take place within the scheduled time... There will not be any deviation from the announced guidelines.”
He added that, if necessary, the Telecom Secretary will be directed to consult with the Ministry of Finance on the relevant issues.
Behura had said in his letter that, as announced, an Inter-Ministerial Committee has already been set up to oversee the spectrum auctioning process in which Finance Ministry has nominated its representative also.
“Any concern of Ministry of Finance can be considered by this committee and action taken thereof,” Behura said in the letter.
Unveiling the 3G policy earlier this month, Raja had said that up to 10 players would be allowed in a service area, including foreign players, and the government would garner up to Rs 40,000 crore from the auctioning of spectrum for 3G services. PTI


see the bold part up... no delay in 3G auction. there is no guarantee of the government & he's giving guarantee for an auction. hope he sticks to it :thumbsup: