The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has written to the government, claiming that it has the first right of use over 3G spectrum. According to it, depriving cellular operators of 3G spectrum would be a violation of Clause 2 of the 1999 National Telecom Policy. GSM operators have cited a "desperate 2G spectrum crunch" to seek "full cognisance of legitimate rights and claims of the licensees".