Hyderabad, Feb 9: Mobile services provider Uninor, which has been adversely affected by a Supreme Court verdict cancelling 122 telecom licences, today expressed the hope that sector regulator TRAI will take its views into consideration before finalising guidelines for new 2G auction.
Sigve Brekke, Managing Director, Unitech Wireless, which owns Uninor brand, said the beleaguered telecom service provider has already conveyed its views to TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) and Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal orally that the auction should be limited to new comers instead of allowing existing players to participate.
“We assume that the regulator is going to follow the spirit of the increased competition. We also assume that the regulator will look at finding a way which is absolutely fair and allows business to prosper,” Brekke said in a press briefing though video conference.
Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd is a joint venture between Norway-based Telenor Group and India's Unitech Ltd. Last week, the apex court cancelled licences of all the new GSM service providers, including Unitech Wireless, awarded in 2008.
Following a court direction, TRAI has already started the consultation process for formulating recommendations for awarding new spectrum licences.
The bidding should be limited between new service providers and incumbent operators should not be allowed to participate in the bidding process, Brekke said.
“We trust the regulator will balance the views of Government and the industry.
It is regulator's responsibility and it should see that the regulation is in favour of the customer, not in favour of the industry and not in favour of the Government.”
Brekke said they came to India on the Government's invitation. The Indian Government wanted to increase competition in the telecom sector so that the customers here benefit.
According to him, the Supreme Court ruling, which was given while hearing the case related to 2G telecom scam, has not impacted Uninor's day-to-day business in India.
The TRAI has released a pre-consultation paper on ‘Allocation of Spectrum in 2G band in 22 Service Areas by auction' for comments of the stakeholders.
