Uninor moves TDSAT against DoT on roll-out damages

Uninor, a JV between Unitech and Norway's Telenor, today moved telecom tribunal TDSAT against the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking damages from the company for not meeting its roll-out obligations.

While the company has paid, under protest, Liquidated Damages (LD) for missing roll-out deadlines for four circles, it is yet to pay for 6 other circles, for which it has been served notices.

Uninor is one of the new operators which was allotted 2G spectrum, or radio waves, by former Telecom Minister A Raja and is under scanner on eligibility criteria.

The company has challenged DoT's demand notice, issued on December 14, 2010, for not fulfilling roll-out obligations, although it has been allotment spectrum.

The matter was listed for hearing today but due to some 'technical reasons', it has been adjourned to January 6.

DoT sent notices to several firms, which got new 2G licenses bundled with start up spectrum but have not started offering services in various circles.

As per the conditions of the Unified Access Service License (UASL), the telcos are required to roll-out their networks within one year from the date of allocation of spectrum.

However, this period is to be calculated by excluding delay by SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee for Frequency Allocation) clearance for allocation.