New Delhi, Dec. 20: The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) today said it would move Delhi High Court against the telecom tribunal’s directive to the government on issuing spectrum to some operators.

According to the COAI, which represents the interests of GSM players, “The department of telecom’s decision is an attempt to pass off a second and new GSM licence to CDMA operators in the garb of dual technology allocations.”

It said the department was trying to overturn the established practice of giving spectrum on a first come, first served basis.

Companies in the COAI include Bharti Airtel — the market leader — Vodafone, Idea and Spice.

The COAI said it decided to move the high court because the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal did not justify why it did not stay the spectrum allocation process.