Vodafone India seeks immediate allotment of spectrum for 14 circles

Alleging delay in allocation of airwaves, Vodafone India has asked government to "immediately allot spectrum" for 14 circles secured in the November 2012 auction for which it has already made required payments.

The company has also sought clarification if the 20-year licence period will commence from date of actual allotment of the said spectrum, pending allocation of airwaves.

In a letter to Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar, the company said, "We call upon DoT to immediately allot us the spectrum acquired by us through auctions, for which payments have already been made and LoIs (Letters of Intent) were issued."

"The reason for the delay in the allotment of spectrum is on account of the fact that it is still being used by operators whose licences were cancelled vide the Supreme Court judgement dated February 2, 2012," Vodafone said.

Operators like Idea, Videocon, Uninor are "on the same frequency band" in circles like Assam, Haryana, J&K and Odisha which was "awarded to Vodafone" in the auctions held in November 2012, it added.

Vodafone has won spectrum in 14 circles in the November auction for Rs. 1,127.94 crore. "As per the existing guidelines, Vodafone India has made a payment of Rs. 372.22 crore under the deferred payment option route on November, 22, 2012," the letter said.

Stating that as the spectrum is yet to be assigned to it, Vodafone has sought clarification on commencement of the 20-year licence period. As per the notice inviting application (NIA), the issue of LoI shall be taken as the effective date for reckoning of the licence period.

"In context of, the pending allocation of spectrum and continued use of spectrum by other license operators, DoT may immediately clarify and confirm that the period of 20 years for which the right to use the spectrum has been acquired by the licensee through this auction will be reckoned from the date of actual allotment of the said spectrum," the letter said.