Incumbent operators, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Idea Cellular were forced to withdraw their petition against TRAI’s recently announced recommendations on 2G spectrum allocation and pricing. The move followed TRAI stating before telecom tribunal, TDSAT that its proposals are recommendatory in nature and could not be challenged.

“Hence, it is premature for the petitioners to have approached the tribunal,” said TRAI counsel, Meet Malhotra.

The TDSAT Chairman, Mr Justice S B Sinha, allowed the operators to approach other appropriate forum on their grievance.