The GSM operators have accused the DoT of extending undue benefits to Reliance Industries by illegally paving the way for it to offer voice calling services with 4G airwaves, which were originally planned to be used only for high-speed Internet services. In what could be a repeat of the epic 2003 battle between GSM carriers and the then unified Reliance Group, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the industry body representing Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular among others, has accused the telecom department of “illegally trying to enlarge the scope of RIL’s services under the pretext of migration to a unified licence without considering the promises made at the time wireless broadband (BWA) airwaves were auctioned” back in 2010.
Well The COAI is Wrong here as subsequent to Notice inviting Applications, Bidders Query the DoT and here are some Question and Answers that will Clearly establish that any 4G LTE Player can Offer Voice over LTE Solutions.
Q. No 34 – Does the BWA license allow use of voice to be offered by the BWA operators? Even in VoIP form? and DoT’s Response is
There is no BWA licence. Service conditions including allowing Internet Telephony will depend on whether the winner of the BWA spectrum holds UAS or ISP licence (and the type of ISP licence).
Q. No 35 – Can BWA operator work as last-mile for an UASL, wherein the UASL terminates traffic to PSTN through his UASL network?
The range of services that can be offered on the BWA spectrum will be governed by the type of service licence held by the operator.
Q. No 36 – What is restricted telephony ?
Internet Telephony Service, as currently permitted to ISPs holding the relevant licence
So it is amply clear that in the Q&A round DoT has clarified that anybody having Unified License can use the liberated Spectrum and provide Bouquet of Services.