Qualcomm approaches TDSAT on spectrum

Qualcomm has approached the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against the government for reducing the validity of broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum allotted to it to 18 years and six months, from 20 years.

It also challenged the reduction in the rollout obligation period from five years to three and a half years. A TDSAT bench, headed by Chairman S B Sinha, has asked the government to reply to the notice in four weeks. Qualcomm had won bids for BWA spectrum in four circles — Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala and Haryana — for Rs 4,900 crore in 2010. According to the notice inviting application, companies had the right to use BWA spectrum for 20 years from the date of awarding the spectrum block. However, for Qualcomm, this was reduced to 18 years and six months.

In September, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had rejected Qualcomm’s application for an internet service provider licence, citing late submission and other technical reasons. The DoT had also objected to Qualcomm’s application that sought four licences under different entities. However, TDSAT had directed DoT to give a licence and allocate spectrum to the company, after it cleared Rs 410 crore of dues of its Indian partner Tulip Telecom.

On May 24, Bharti Airtel had announced a Rs 922-crore deal with Qualcomm Asia Pacific to acquire 49 per cent stake in the company’s Indian BWA entities by 2014.