TDSAT serves notice to Etisalat on Reliance Infratel dues

Telecom tribunal TDSAT today issued a notice to Etisalat DB on Reliance Infratel's plea seeking to recover Rs 1,200 crore from the operator.

A TDSAT bench headed by its Chairman Justice S B Sinha asked the company to file a short reply within two weeks and post the matter on March 5 for next hearing.

The Anil Ambani-group company is seeking to recover Rs 1,200 crore from Etisalat DB which had taken its telecom infrastructure on lease.

The counsel appearing for the Anil Ambani group company told the tribunal that Reliance Infratel was under pressure after the recent developments concerning Etisalat DB, which has decided to shut down its Indian operations.

Reliance Infratel further said that the company wanted to secure its due amount, which is around Rs 1,200 crore.

Etisalat DB is a joint venture between Etisalat of United Arab Emirates and Dynamix Balwas Group of India. The JV had telecom services license to operate in 15 circles.

In their petition, the ADAG group firm has urged the tribunal to attach the property and freeze the account of Etisalat DB to secure its dues.

In 2009, Etisalat DB had entered into 10-year pact with RITL, a subsidiary of RCom, for infrastructure leasing to provide GSM services after getting 2G spectrum.

However, the ADAG group firm discontinued services to Etisalat in January following non-payment of dues.

Earlier this  month, the UAE-based firm said that it has written off $827 million value of its Indian operations, by way of an impairment charge, after the Supreme Court canceled 122 2G licences, including that of Etisalat DB.

Etisalat DB has telecom services licence to operate in 15 circles.

These circles include Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu (including Chennai), Uttar Pradesh (East and West), Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.