Qualcomm partner gets DoT notice for Rs 146 cr dues

US-based chip maker Qualcomm today informed TDSAT that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a demand of Rs 146 crore in dues from one of its partners Tulip Telecom.

Qualcomm, which has approached telecom tribunal TDSAT challenging the DoT notice for cancelling allotment of BWA spectrum in four circles that it bagged last year through auction, has said that the notice was recieved last night only.

"We would verify if that is correct or not. If dues are there, then we would pay," said senior advocate CA Sundaram appearing for Qualcomm.

Meanwhile, the DoT informed the Tribunal that if the dues are verified and cleared by them, then the ISP licence would be given to Qualcomm within a day.

DoT council Manisha Dheer submitted that after granting of ISP licence, Qualcomm would have to apply for spectrum and it would be given in two weeks.

"There is no need for further litigation for this," Dheer said.

Confirming the receipt of the notice, Tulip in a statement said, "Tulip has received a routine provisional assessment and like every year the company intends to have a discussion with the DoT to resolve the demand in line with the truw performance of the company."

Both the parties -- DOT and Qualcomm -- informed TDSAT that as per the direction of tribunal both parties have met on November 14 to resolve the issues.

The Tribunal has adjourned the matter to December 9, on the request of Qualcomm, which sought time to verify the due of Tulip Ltd, a 13 per cent shareholder in the consortium which had bid for the spectrum.

Earlier on November 8, TDSAT had directed representatives of Qualcomm and DoT to meet and resolve their differences over grant of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum.

TDSAT was hearing a petition filed by Qualcomm challenging the notice of the DoT for cancelling the allotment of spectrum in the four circles.

Qualcomm had bagged BWA spectrum for Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerla circles and LoIs were allotted to the company.

Qualcomm's application was rejected on the basis that it had made four nominees for the spectrum. The company was fearing that its licence may be revoked and spectrum may be allotted to someone else.