Nath also seeks PM’s intervention to resolve spectrum row

The Union commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath too has also joined the spectrum row. In a letter written to the Prime Minister...

The Union commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath too has also joined the spectrum row. In a letter written to the Prime Minister, Nath has sought a larger discussion on the issue of spectrum allocation. Last week, his deputy Jai Ram Ramesh criticised Bharti Airtel’s chairman Sunil Mittal for opposing the allotment of spectrum to government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL).

Nath has expressed concern over the ongoing spectrum tussle between the Government and GSM mobile players and is understood to have said that the prolonged battle may affect the investment environment and deter overseas players.

Communications minister A Raja has already explained his stand to Singh, while private rivals Anil Ambani, chairman of CDMA player Reliance Communications, and Vodafone chief Arun Sarin have also shot off letters to the Prime Minister. Besides, Bharti Airtel chief Sunil Mittal, who wrote a letter to Department of Telecom secretary D S Mathur, is believed to have met Singh seeking his intervention.

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India is attracting huge foreign investments in telecom sector with UK’s Vodafone and Russia’s Sistema making their entry.

Meanwhile, the Government has approached the TDSAT and said that its decision to allow dual technology is a matter of policy decision and cellular operators have no right to challenge it. “It is a matter of policy decision which has been taken in the larger public interest and in regard to the interest of consumers who would be benefited by the increased competition,” DoT said.