The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers (AUSPI) of India has raised concerns over the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendations to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to explore creation of an extended GSM (e-GSM) band by utilising part of spectrum in the 800 MHz band (CDMA band).

AUSPI is of the view that 800 MHz band worldwide is designated for CDMA-based mobile operations. It further added that the use of 800 MHz band with the eGSM band would impact the businesses of CDMA operators, who have made investments in rolling out CDMA networks in the 800 MHz band.

Meanwhile, AUSPI has also requested the government to auction spectrum in the 800 MHz spectrum band in February 2015. Earlier, TRAI had recommended a pan-India reserve price of Rs 26.85 billion per MHz for 800 MHz band. AUSPI, on the other hand, wants the reserve price to be lower at 80 per cent of the base price.