New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today said it would come out with the second generation (2G) spectrum pricing norms by the end of this month, reports PTI.
When asked if the regulatory body was likely to come out with the 2G pricing norms by the end of October, TRAI chairman JS Sarma said, "We are working towards it."
The new norms are likely to link pricing of 2G spectrum to the 3G spectrum licence after the controversial allotment of 2G spectrum in 2008, which many in the industry felt, was under-priced to help certain telecom operators.
TRAI is also likely to recommend an auction route for distribution of 2G spectrum beyond 6.2 Mhz and suggest scrapping the current practice of giving radio waves on the basis of the number of subscribers. The telecom regulator may change the criteria from subscriber numbers to geographical coverage.
If the proposal is implemented, new operators like Uninor, Etisalat and Loop Telecom, which already have 4.4 Mhz of 2G spectrum, may have to buy spectrum through auction beyond 6.2 Mhz.
When asked about mobile number portability (MNP) issue, which is due to be implemented from 31st October, Mr Sarma said, "We are optimistic that it would be implemented within the time frame or a few days later."
MNP is a service that allows a mobile user to change his operator while retaining the number.
The announcement comes as key mobile service providers like Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Vodafone Essar, Tata Tele, Idea, STel and Aircel are getting ready to launch high-speed 3G services.
Earlier, state-owned telcos Bharat Sanchar Nagar Nigam (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) said that they were ready with the infrastructure to implement the MNP service.
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