Telecom regulator TRAI vehemently denied mobile operators’ accusations of being non-transparent in its recommendations last week regarding spectrum allocation etc. to existing players. [via Business Standard]

This retort comes after the GSM players’ lobby Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) said it is considering approaching the Department of Telecom against Trai’s recommendations, saying the regulator did not consult them before finalising its report.

The regulator had, on August 29, suggested framing a new spectrum allocation criteria for mobile operators and had also suggested raising the spectrum prices for GSM players.

Nikhil adds: This was in response to Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal’s statement that the TRAI’s calculations for allocation of spectrum are grossly wrong and illegal, and that the regulator’s decision was not transparent. Mittal had said that the GSM operators may raise tariffs if more charges are levied on them. Even though these are just recommendations, GSM operators are contemplating a legal recourse which might influence the Department of Telecom’s decision. More at the Hindu.

• TRAI Recommends Changes In Telecom M&A And Spectrum Allocation Rule