Licences of 53 spectrum holders may be cancelled

The department of telecommunications (DoT) is in the process of issuing show cause notices to 35 telecom license holders of various companies asking why these should not be terminated for failing to meet rollout obligations, minister of state for information technology and communications Milind Deora told the the Rajya Sabha today.

"Show-cause notices for termination of 16 unified access services (UAS) licenses have been issued for violation of rollout obligations. Government is in the process of issuance of the notice for termination of UAS licenses to another 35 holders," Deora said.

He further said the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended cancellation of 53 UAS licenses and also recommended to the ministry to seek legal opinion on the issue of cancellation of another 30 licenses.

The licenses recommended for cancellation belong to Aircel, Dishnet Wireless (now Aircel), Etisalat DB, Idea Cellular, Sistema Shyam, Spice Communications, Vodafone Essar Spacetel, Loop Telecom, Videocon and Unitech Wireless, the Minister said.

Deora said the case of two companies recommended by TRAI for cancellation of license is subjudice; hence he could not name them.

He avoided giving a timeframe for the action, saying, "For taking decision on the recommendation of TRAI, the comments and opinions of other ministries or departments is also required."