As a major setback on 2G spectrum allocation, the Supreme Court has allowed to operate only those telecom operators who successful in availing fresh 2G auction in November from among those that lost licences last year, reports said.
However, for those which were not participated in November auction bidding process, SC rules, “Operators that did not bid for spectrum or were unsuccessful will have to cease operations immediately.”
It has been reported that the bench directed to immediately put on fresh auction entire 2G spectrum for the licences cancelled by it and also asked the successful bidder to start their services in the respective circles immediately.
Before start their operations in the circles for that licenses had been cancelled, the telecom companies will have to pay market price for the frequencies, fixed in the first round of November 2012 auction.
On February 2, 2012 judgement, the court had cancelled 122 telecom licences due to having illegal processing, and after then a fresh auction held in November 12, 2012 for licenses permit under revised base price.
Russian conglomerate Sistema’s Indian unit, SSTL is the worst hit that had lost their licences and also not participates in the November auction, appealing to change the February cancellation verdict.
Moreover, the apex court had dismissed a curative petition filed by the company, but the company now again requested to be allowed time until March to bid for the spectrum auction.
