KOCHI: Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has welcomed Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendations on valuation and reserve price of 2100 MHz spectrum. TRAI has recommended a base price of Rs.2,720 crore per megahertz (MHz) for 2100 MHz spectrum for the 22 telecom circles in the country. TRAI has also suggested that 2100 MHz band spectrum should be auctioned along with other bands (800, 900 and 1800MHz) in February 2015. COAI appreciates TRAI’s suggestion to auction the 2100 MHz spectrum alongside the other bands, as this will help relieve the acute spectrum crunch faced by the operators. “TRAI has taken into consideration the broad requirements for the development of progressive telecommunications eco-system in the country. It is essential that the fundamental resource of spectrum is augmented so as to support this objective, which is common to the government as well as the industry. We are happy with the approach of the regulator in acknowledging the needs for an emerging mobile broadband network in the country,” said Rajan S Mathews, Director General, COAI.