The apex court on Thursday refused to restrain the government from taking steps for holding spectrum auctions in February, as sought by Vodafone India, which wants extension of its licences in six circles — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan and UP (east). The licenses, given by the DoT for 20 years, are due to expire in December 2015.
Vodafone has challenegd DoT’s order that rejected its request for extension of licences in the circles by 10 years and asked the operator to obtain spectrum via auctions. Counsel KK Venugopal, appearing for Vodafone, argued the department has no legal right to put the allocated spectrum to auction as the service provider is entitled to extension of licenses along with already allotted spectrum “on fair and reasonable terms” for its continued usage. He said DoT should not be allowed to invite applications from companies as it will create “confusion” as the companies have a legal, contractual and vested right to extension of licenses.