Telenor wants more reduction in spectrum base price
Norwegian telecom firm Telenor, which won licences to operate in six big states in November, is hoping for a further reduction in the start price for the second round of spectrum auction in March.
Telenor had almost a year ago lost its licences after Supreme Court cancelled 122 permits awarded in a tainted licensing round in 2008.
When 2G spectrum freed from the cancellation was auctioned in November last year, Telenor won permits in six states but couldn't get the same in three circles including in Mumbai.
"The Government has been giving right signals to industry leaders. We are hopeful that the pricing issues would be resolved and we will wait for March. But as the indications stand, the reserve price is likely to be brought down,"
Telenor's President and CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas said at the World Economic Forum here.
After the failed November auction, the government has cut the reserve or base price of auction of spectrum that wasn't sold by 30 per cent. The second round of auction is expected to start on March 11.
Baksaas said Telenor would bring pricing issue to "the attention of decision makers" but refused to elaborate.
He also refused to say anything on participating in the March auction.
Telenor had at the time of losing its licenses in February last year had stated that it would give up some of the 13 circles it operated in and would aim to win spectrum in
nine areas in the November auction.
Ahead of the November auction, it ended
Be the first to comment.
