2G pricing proposals by month-end, says TRAI

File photo of TRAI chiarman J.S. Sarma.

Amid the controversy over the pricing of spectrum, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said on Friday that it would come out by the month-end with recommendations on a new mechanism linking the 2G spectrum prices to the winning bids at the 3G spectrum auction.

“The 2G pricing recommendations are expected to come by this month-end,” TRAI Chairman J.S. Sarma told journalists here. The TRAI had floated the proposal for linking 2G spectrum prices with 3G rates in May.

Opposition from GSM operators

However, owing to the opposition from the GSM operators, it said it would study the issue afresh. The regulator came out with the proposal after the auction for the 3G spectrum earlier this year raked in more than Rs. 67,000 crore.

Its earlier recommendations included levy of a one-time charge on operators holding excess 2G spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz.