Telecom tribunal sets aside Qualcomm’s plea

Telecom tribunal TDSAT on Wednesday set aside US-based Qualcomm’s plea opposing 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.