DoT has sent 8 termination notices to telcos

The government today said it has issued eight termination notices to various telecom operators for delays in rolling out the services.

"In all, 17 notices would be issued for delay in roll-out of services. Of this, eight have already been sent out," Department of Telecom (DoT) Secretary R Chandrasekhar told reporters here.

The operators have been given 60 days to respond as to why their licences should not be terminated for their failure to roll out networks, as per the licence conditions.

Chandrasekhar, however, did not name any operators.

Till now, Sistema Shyam TeleServices, Aircel and Etisalat DB have been sent notices for missing the roll-out deadlines.

Most of the new players, which received 2G licences in 2008, have not met network roll-out obligations. Some of them are under the scanner of various investigative agencies, including the CBI and Parliamentary panels.

Earlier, 119 notices were issued and the government has collected over Rs 300 crore in penalties.