The debate for one-time charge for extra spectrum is heating up with major India telcos Bhart Airtle, Vodafone and Idea Cellular writing a letter to Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal proposing holding of auction to arrive at a fair price.

In a joint latter to Sibal Sanjay Kapoor of  Bharti Airtel, Himashu Kapania of Idea Cellular and Marten Pieters of Vodafone India firms have expressed deep concerns on the matter of spectrum pricing. "We are writing to you to express our deep concerns on subject of spectrum pricing included in TRAI recommendations," they said in the latter.

"A one- time spectrum charge was never a part of either of the licences. It is, therefore, surprising that TRAI  is recommending a onetime spectrum charge in complete contradiction to DoTs existing licence terms”, the letter said

The said that TRAI  is recommendations wrongly propose to charge a onetime fee on spectrum that was allocated by DoT at an agreed consideration on additional revenue share basis at 1- 2 per cent of adjusted gross revenue, the top executives claimed. They, through this letter, sought the attention of  all the members of the Telecom Commission.

Other issues that were mentioned in the letter were the UASL or CMPSs licences, contained provisions to pay a one- time entry fee and to pay all other charges on revenue share basis.