NEW DELHI, Oct 17: Telecom tribunal TDSAT today allowed US-based Qualcomm’s plea that opposed reduction in the validity of licence period for the wireless broadband spectrum allotted to the company and changes in the service roll-out obligations.
A TDSAT bench, headed by its Chairman Justice S B Sinha, set aside the Department of Telecom’s (DoT’s) direction reducing the licence period and time for completing roll-out obligation.
DoT had reduced the validity of Qualcomm’s Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum to 18 years and six months, from 20 years.
Besides, Qualcomm’s roll-out obligation period was also reduced from five years to three-and-a-half years, which was challenged by the company before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
Qualcomm had won the BWA spectrum in four circles—Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala and Haryana—for Rs 4,900 crore through bidding in 2010.
As per the Notice Inviting Application, companies had the right to use BWA spectrum for a period of 20 years from the date of awarding of spectrum block.
Qualcomm got the spectrum after a legal battle with the DoT. (PTI)
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