Department of Telecom has received over 250 applications for Unified Access Services Licences (UASL) by telecom operators in various sectors. The number is expected to go up to 350 as the deadline for applying of telecom licenses expires this Monday. The companies seeking licenses include HFCL, Shyam Telelink, Unitech, Hindujas, Omaxe group, DLF Developers and Sify to name a few.

The department of Telecom has setup a committee to check the application and new guidelines may be issued soon for vetting of new applications. The requirements for telecom operators planning to enter mobile services are expected to be more stringent. The committee is expected to submit its report by 15th of October.

The Telecom authority has capacity to accommodate only two – three operators while in most circles there are 12 – 15 applicants. New applicants may seek help of the court if the DoT makes any changes to its first-come-first-served policy. Taking into account the profits, no company wants to lose and this may result in some court-room battle as well between big players.

A Government Official said, “It will not be possible to accommodate all these applications given the scarcity of spectrum. While unified access licence permits all types of telecom services, those applicants who want spectrum for offering wireless services could be asked to bid for available radio frequency.”