The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Government has issued licence termination notices to Aircel and Etisalat D B Etisalat for delays in roll-out of services in eight circles.
Most of the new players who received 2G licences in 2008 have not met roll-out obligations. Some of them are under the scanner of various investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and Parliamentary panels.
The operators have been given 60 days to explain why their licences should not be terminated for failure to roll out networks, as per the licence conditions. Earlier, 119 notices were issued and the government has collected over Rs 3 billion in penalties.
As per the rules, the licensees were required to offer services in 90 per cent of their service areas in metros and 10 per cent in district headquarters within 12 months from the date of award of license.
