A number of leading telcos have applied to take part in India’s upcoming 2G auction, which is scheduled for 12 November.
Indian operators Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone India and Tata Teleservices have all submitted applications in time for…
A number of leading telcos have applied to take part in India’s upcoming 2G auction, which is scheduled for 12 November.
Indian operators Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone India and Tata Teleservices have all submitted applications in time for today’s deadline, as well as Norwegian telco Telenor, according to media reports.
Established operators Vodafone India and Bharti Airtel were not impacted by the scandal-tainted 2G auction of 2008 when licences were said to have been illegally granted, so will be bidding for extra spectrum. However, Idea Cellular and Tata Teleservices are set to lose the licences they were awarded at that time so will be bidding for the chance to retain their existing spectrum.
As TelecomFinance previously reported, foreign companies were not allowed to bid in the 2G auction, prompting a number of international telcos to embark on JVs with local entities. Telenor had embarked on a JV called Uninor with real estate company Unitech, but this recently ended due to a dispute over management.
However, a ministerial panel recently approved a proposal for foreign companies to participate without a local partner.
“Telenor Group has indicated its interest to take part in the auction, and provided all necessary documents and financial guarantees requested to be eligible for participation in its application,” said the company in a statement.
“A final decision on whether or not to participate will be made before the auction starts. Telenor Group continues its efforts to secure a new Indian partner and to obtain all necessary approvals to transfer Uninor assets into the new company.”
A spokesperson at Telenor told TelecomFinance today that the company was “in dialogue with various parties” regarding an Indian partnership.
