Tata Teleservices has asked the government to process its applications for GSM licences and spectrum in Assam, North East and J&K circles.
However, the company has maintained that there is no change in its plans to spend $2 billion in capital expenditure over the next two years. At present, Tata Teleservices, Indias fifth-largest operator, uses CDMA technology to provide mobile services. It accounts for about 34 million of the countrys 375.74 million mobile users as on February-end.
Tata Teleservices had declared to spend $2 billion in capital expenditure for network rollout last year, while adding that a bulk of this would be spent for GSM launch.
On Monday, Anil Sardana, Telco managing director said, "We are on track. This amount ($2 billion) has been committed. We will be launching GSM services, starting with the South Indian states in a few weeks."
Tata Teleservices has received GSM licences in 19 of the 22 telecom circles but the companys plans for the remaining circles are facing a delay. This happened as an internal wing of the Department of Telecom (DoT) had recently proposed that Tatas applications for the remaining three circles not be processed and it be bundled with the 343 other pending applications for telecom licences.
According to DoT, the company had applied late for licences and spectrum in these three circles.
In a communication to DoT, Mr. Sardana said, "We hope that our request for grant of in-principle approval to use GSM technology in Assam, North East and J&K is being processed by DoT. In the absence of the in-principle approval, we are put to significant competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis other GSM operators who have a pan-India presence."
He also said that despite Tata Teleservices having obtained CDMA licences in these three circles only last year, it has already rolled out mobile services on this technology platform in a record period of eight months. On the other hand, other telcos who were given licences, at the same time, are yet to rollout services, Mr. Sardana added.
The company has received spectrum (radio frequencies or airwaves on which telecom signals travel) in all areas except Delhi among the 19 circles where Tatas have got GSM licences.
Sardana added, "We are a little concerned about Delhi and will be taking up the issue with the government."
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