The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sent a show-cause notice to Etisalat DB, asking it to explain why its licences in Delhi and Mumbai should not be cancelled for missing roll-out obligations, according to news reports.

This comes after the telecom ministry has collected over Rs 3 billion as penalty from most of the new operators, including Etisalat DB, for not rolling out services within the stipulated time after obtaining licences and spectrum.

Etisalat DB’s former managing director Shahid Balwa is in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the 2G spectrum issue. After being arrested by the central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Balwa had resigned from his post.

It is believed that DoT may send similar notices other new operators, who have missed the deadline for rolling services, even after 52 weeks of obtaining spectrum.