By IANS
New Delhi : The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) Friday told the Delhi High Court that existing CDMA operators could not get the licence for providing GSM services.
COAI’s counsel C.S. Vaidyanathan, appearing before Justice Gita Mittal, contended that none of the four CDMA players, including Reliance and Tatas, could get a GSM licence as there was a prohibition under their existing licence.
The petition was filed by the COAI challenging the department of telecommunication’s decision to allow the use of dual technology by a single player and enhanced subscriber-linked criteria for spectrum allocation.
On the issue of dual technology, the COAI said that it could be understood in relation to new entrants, but it does not apply in case of existing players.
Abhishek Singhvi, also appearing for the COAI, took a dig at a committee set up by the government to make suggestions on spectrum allocation criteria. The panel did not submit its report due to differences among its members.
The COAI also sought quashing of a Telecom Disputes and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) directive that allowed the government to go ahead with allocation of spectrum.
The matter will again come up for hearing Monday.