Rejecting the cellular operators' demand for withdrawal of its consultation paper on the unified licensing regime, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Wednesday said the "question of withdrawing the consultation paper does not arise".

"The question (of withdrawing the consultation paper) does not arise," Pradip Baijal, chairman, Trai, told PTI in New Delhi when asked about the latest demand by the Cellular Operators Association of India that the unified licensing regime consultation paper be withdrawn.

COAI had on Tuesday raised its pitch against Trai's consultation paper, saying the regulator should withdraw it till the judgement on WLL was pronounced by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.

COAI had also pointed at a recent UBS report, which indicated that Trai would introduce a universal licence as a "back-up measure", if the WLL licences were cancelled.

Baijal said though there were "presentations" by UBS and other investment bankers, "there had been no discussions."

"Therefore, there is no question of Trai giving its views," Baijal said.