PSU BSNL came out strongly against telecom regulator TRAI over the recently announced recommendations for additional 2G spectrum allocation and pricing. The PSU alleged that the regulator was conniving with private operators and the recommendations would result in destroying the BSNL.

In its new recommendations, TRAI had called for the withdrawal of 2.4 MHz of airwaves from BSNL in all service areas. TRAI had stated that BSNL had 12.4 MHz of spectrum in all services areas. According to BSNL it does not holds spectrum more than 7.6 MHz in any service area.

BSNL alleged that TRAI used ''non-existent and incorrect information for giving completely impermissible, predetermined and biased recommendations against the PSU'. The PSU further alleged that this was done to 'favour private operators and cause financial losses to it as well as put it in a competitive disadvantage'.

BSNL alleged that the regulator’ motive in asking the PSU to hand over additional spectrum was to allot the same to new private operators such as Telenor, S Tel and Datacom.

BSNL follows GSM operators Airtel, Vodafone and Idea who not only opposed TRAI’s new recommendations but also boycotted the regulator’s recent move which called for consultation process to resolve issues related to the recommendations.

BSNL also said that the new recommendations did not had any mention of  amending rollout obligations for existing players but specifically mentioned the same in case of BSNL to fulfill.

“Trai is not permitted to choose its own method of consultation. Law allows Trai to offer recommendations only on such issues which are part of the consultation paper and not any additional issue which comes to its mind subsequently, and on which no consultations with stakeholders have been held," complained BSNL in its letter.