Bharti, Vodafone move HC against spectrum auction
Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular hold spectrum in the 900 Mhz band, which the department of telecommunications plans to auction along with auction of 1,800 and 800 Mhz beginning March 11. However, the auction of 900 Mhz spectrum, in the first instance, would happen only in the Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata circles. Licences of Bharti is due for renewal in November for Delhi and Kolkata circles, while Vodafone's due for Delhi and Mumbai circles.
While Vodafone filed its petition in Wednesday morning, sources said later even Bharti Airtel moved the HC.
Vodafone's petition has urged that the government should stop the auction of 900 Mhz while it may go ahead with that of 1,800 and 800 Mhz bands. The company moved the Delhi HC after the Supreme Court said last week that auction of 900 Mhz spectrum was not part of its February 2, 2012 order and companies are free to challenge it before any court of law.
Earlier, companies like Bharti , Vodafone, Idea and Reliance Communications obtained a stay order from various courts against the DoT's directive to pay a one-time charge for holding spectrum beyond 4.4 Mhz.
Protesting the DoT's decision to put up the 900 Mhz spectrum which it currently
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