The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is likely to seek a review of the recommendations made by the Telecom Regulator Authority of India (TRAI) for cancelling 69 licences as operators had failed to roll out networks, in view of DoT?s finding that only 17 cases required such stringent action.
In 2010, TRAI recommended cancellation of 69 licences of six operators, including five new ones, who had unutilised spectrum and failed to provide services in the circles allotted to them.
Currently, DoT has identified 17 cases for sending out the notices. Of these, it has already sent eight notices to various operators.
According to TRAI?s recommendations, the companies being examined include Etisalat DB (earlier Swan) that has failed to roll out services in 15 circles, Videocon Communications (earlier Datacom Solutions) in 10 circles, Uninor (the Unitech Group) in 8 circles and Aircel in 5 circles, among others.
As per the conditions, the licensees are required to roll out the services in 90 per cent service area in metros and 10 per cent of district headquarters in other service areas within 12 months from the date of the award of licences.
Meanwhile, DoT is examining the replies of show-cause notices sent to various new operators for being ineligible to get licences in 2008.
After examining the responses, DoT may send notices for termination of licences.
