Airwave conundrum

The Telecom Commission’s decision to allow Internet Service Providers (ISP) holding broadband spectrum to offer voice services as well, by paying a one-time entry fee of Rs 1,658 crore, is indefensible, as it goes against all accepted principles of public tendering. When spectrum of 2300 MHz frequency was put up for auction in 2010, the Government had stated upfront that the operator had the freedom to choose the nature of service it would offer on these airwaves. But once exercised and the appropriate fee paid on it, the tender process stands completed. 

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