CDMA players ask for 'fair play'

CDMA operators have demanded that spectrum allocation and pricing should be technology neutral.

They do not agree with government's proposal that spectrum allocation should be subscriber-based as "CDMA is more spectrum efficient". This has added yet another dimension to the tussle for spectrum for 3G services.

"We have told the government that we are concerned with the misleading propaganda being unleashed by certain vested interests to spread misinformation and vitiate policy environment," says James S Person, vice-president (Programs and Asia) of CDMA Development Group, the global association representing all CDMA operators and equipment manufacturers.

"Given the critical role of telecommunications in the economic and social development of India, it is morally incumbent on all concerned to ensure that the debate on spectrum policy is conducted in a manner that is rational, transparent and free from irresponsible polemics," the CDG says in its letter to the department of telecommunication.

The association has also submitted rebuttal of recent submissions on spectrum by the Cellular Operators Association of India, the body representing all GSM players in India.

According to James Person, the CDG has "strongly endorsed that the initial allotment of spectrum must be equal for all operators, regardless of the technology they use."

The CDG has also opposed proposals by the telephone regulatory authority of India and DoT that spectrum allocation should be subscriber-based.

It says, "generalised comparison between different technologies is misleading".

"Policy incentives guide the direction of technology evolution and adoption. Incentives that are structured to reward the efficient utilisation of scarce resources will result in technologies that use that resource more efficiently," the CDG says.