DoT to allocate additional 2G spectrum only after subscriber figure verification

Indian news source The Economic Times is reporting that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has decided to award additional 2G spectrum to operators only after independently verifying their subscriber base. Under existing regulations 2G spectrum is allotted based on subscriber base, with GSM and CDMA operators entitled to a maximum of 15MHz and 7.5MHz of frequencies respectively; however, once an operator reaches a pre-determined subscriber figure this spectrum allowance is increased. Smaller players, including Tata Teleservices, have complained that larger operators artificially inflate subscriber figures and have pushed the regulator to audit customer numbers to prevent abuse of the regulations. The new ruling will come in to force immediately; several operators are due for additional spectrum in several circles as their subscriber figures have reached the thresholds set by the Telecoms Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the DoT will now only increase spectrum allowance following verification of current subscriber figures.