GSM operator Aircel and its holding company Dishnet Wireless has filed a petition in sectoral tribunal TDSAT seeking directions to Department of Telecom to allot start-up spectrum for launching services in new circles.
Aircel is still awaiting the allocation of initial spectrum in some circles, while Dishnet Wireless has not received the radio waves for any circle.
The companies got the licence on December 18, 2006. Aircel — 74 per cent owned by Malaysia’s Maxis Communications — is present in nine circles, including Chennai and Tamil Nadu, and has applied for licence for 14 circles.
Fearing that initial allocation may get delayed in the ongoing legal war on spectrum, Aircel contended that start-up frequency has nothing to do with additional allotment.
“Additional spectrum is very different from the start up spectrum and has nothing to do with the petition filed by the COAI… at least that should be straight away allocated,” said the GSM operator in the petition filed through counsel Meet Malhotra.
Aircel’s petition would come up for hearing before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) on December 12.
On November 2, Aircel withdrew from the COAI petition against the government over its decision to allow dual technology and subscriber-based spectrum allocation norm.
On December 12, the tribunal is also scheduled to hear the main petition along with affidavits filed by COAI. Source: economictimes
