The rationale of insisting on auctions, as the Supreme Court did in its 2G-case ruling, has weakened as technology and global norms have evolved. The 2G muddle was value destroying. Indian laws should offer clearer guidance to regulators.
The battle lines are clear satellite companies plus telco Bharti Airtel champion allocation; phone companies Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea demand auctions. Its down to the telecom regulator to take a call, based on which DoT has to decide which way India will go, reports Kalyan Parbat
5g Spectrum: The ball is now in the court of the telecom regulator, which recently concluded an intense consultation process, culminating in a marathon open-house discussion on July 14 that lasted almost 12 hours with about 30 speakers from across the world pressing their views.