Fourth largest Indian mobile network operator Idea Cellular is facing threats by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to cancel its licences in six circles, the Economic Times reported.
The article quoted an unnamed source close to the situation…
Fourth largest Indian mobile network operator Idea Cellular is facing threats by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to cancel its licences in six circles, the Economic Times reported.
The article quoted an unnamed source close to the situation as saying that the DoT will notify Idea of the cancellation of licences in Karnataka, Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi soon. Furthermore, the DoT would impose a Rs3bn (US$57m) fine for failing to meet roll-out obligations.
The argument between the company and the ministry goes back to the 2008 acquisition of Spice by Idea, which is still awaiting regulatory approval. Telecoms regulator Trai argues that as long as approval is outstanding, the merged entity needs to continue to fulfil criteria for the old Spice licences as well as the Idea licences in all circles where the former competitors used to compete.
The DoT had ordered Idea to pay a Rs3bn fine previously, which was halved following an appeal by Idea at the telecom tribunal TDSAT, the Economic Times noted.
