One thing is clear now. 3G spectrum is not going to be free. Even the Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), the industry body representing GSM operators like Bharti Airtel and Hutch, has agreed to pay up at least Rs 980 crore (per operator) or more as fees for 3G spectrum, reports Business Standard.
Earlier GSM operators like Bharti Airtel were against paying up for 3G spectrum and there was a conflict between Ratan Tata (whose group owns Tata Teleservices, a CDMA player) who suggested that operators should pay 3G licence fee.
Currently the 45 Mhz spectrum is with the ministry of defence, which needs compensation for vacating it. In a meeting called by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday, the COAI said that they were ready to pay whatever compensation the ministry asks for it. (However, the CDMA operators’ association -
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