Unitech denies role in changing 2G spectrum allocation cut-off date

Unitech Wireless, charged in the 2G telecom spectrum scam, on Monday defended itself in the trial court, arguing there was no evidence to suggest it had influenced the controversial change in the cut-off date for licence applications in 2007 to September 25.

The company’s counsel, S S Gandhi, said the allegation that the cut-off date was changed so that no other company could apply for licences after Unitech did was factually incorrect. Applications for around 40 licences were made on September 25, a day after Unitech applied, he said.

Unitech got into a joint venture with Norway's Telenor to bring in funds for setting up the infrastructure, Gandhi said. “All investment from Telenor got approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs,” said Gandhi.