The Association of Unified Service Providers of India (AUSPI) termed the recently announced TRAI recommendations over 2G spectrum allocation as well-balanced, progressive and transparent.

The industry association further said that the recommendations are pro-consumer and will help the digital divide by linking spectrum allocation with rollout obligations.

“While no Association or operator has got all issues from their wish-list accepted by TRAI, TRAI has accepted far more of the wish-list of incumbent GSM operators that AUSPI members,” said an AUSPI statement.

The industry lobby however cam down strongly against incumbent GSM operators saying the latter are attempting to force the government to change the recommendations. AUSPI said nowhere in the world  operators come down so heavily against an independent regulator.

“Dropping of subscriber linked criteria (SLC) for additional spectrum, accepting of spectrum sharing, delinking of spectrum from licence, levying merger charges, no re-farming of 900 MHz immediately, increasing spectrum limit for GSM operators etc. are some of the points which show that TRAI recommendations are in line with incumbent GSM operators’ wish-list,” said AUSPI.

“TRAI has rejected far more of AUSPI and its members wish-list – 20 year validity for dual technology, no licence fee on ISP and IP-1, no perpetuity of licence, no definite 3G forward path for CDMA, practically no increase in spectrum limits for CDMA etc.,” added AUSPI.