India’s government has issued Unified Access Services Licenses (UASLs) to nine companies, making them eligible to offer mobile services throughout the country. First-time would-be operators include property developer Unitech and Datacom Solutions, whilst Idea Cellular, Spice Communications and Shyam Telelink – firms already offering GSM services in select areas – have also received letters of intent. The four remaining companies are Tata Teleservices, S. Tel, Swan Telecom and Loop Telecom.

A total of 46 firms applied for the licenses, which allow the provision of any kind of communication services, not just mobile telephony. India is divided into 23 major telecommunications circles based on geography, and service providers need licenses to operate in each of the circles. The letters of intent ask successful applicants to deposit the required spectrum fee along with bank and performance guarantees to become eligible for allotment of spectrum. In addition, the government has also approved the allocation of frequency for dual technology, potentially allowing CDMA operators such as Reliance Communications to start operating GSM networks.