NEW DELHI, OCT 1: The government today cleared the entry of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) into cellular mobile service but sought to dispel apprehensions of private operators by saying the company would be treated only on par with other service providers.The government said in a statement here that Department of Telecommunication (DoT) or MTNL will be allowed as a third operator in cellular mobile service, but guided by the National Telecom Policy 1999.Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had said no foreign or domestic investor would invest in Indian telecom sector, if MTNL was allowed to offer cellular services since it would amount to denial of level-playing field to others. MTNL has announced its plan to offer mobile phone service using a different technology from that of private operators and government had issued a licence to it last month.A controversy had arisen earlier after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) did not accept MTNL's lower tariff proposals pendinga consultation process.
