Videocon Telecom, Sistema Shyam and Loop Mobile did not put in their application for participating in the upcoming auction.
While Loop Mobile has taken legal recourse, Videocon said that it has decided to invest in its existing operations. Videocon was keen to bid for 900 MHz spectrum for Delhi and for acquiring additional 2MHz spectrum each in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh circles on the 1800 MHz band
Arvind Bali, CEO and Director, Videocon Telecom, who is in China for a business meet, said, “Delhi is very evolved market, and in order to capitalise on the opportunity, our team, consulting partners and technology partners felt that 4G LTE rollout would be a catalyst for making a differentiation.
“However, worldwide the 4G LTE ecosystem is not that evolved in the 900 MHz space, that makes the cost of deployment very expensive, thus making 900 not suitable for 4G. We feel that the 4G ecosystem in 900 MHz band should evolve in the coming years and that should be the time we will look at options.”
Bali said that he was in China along with his team in discussions with technology partners for rollout roadmap for Videocon.
Loop Mobile Loop Mobile, on the other hand, has claimed right to continue operating in the 900 MHz band. In a letter to DoT, Loop said that it was illegal to force an auction on the company.
“It is brought to your notice that non participation in auction process should not be taken as relinquishment of our right of extension of licence,” Loop said in the letter to DoT adding that it has filed an appeal with the telecom tribunal seeking an extension of its licence.
Sistema Shyam Sistema Shyam, which operates services under MTS brand, is also not bidding in this round of spectrum auction but that’s because it wants airwaves in the 800 MHz band. The auction scheduled for February is for selling spectrum in 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands. Sistema Shyam has written to the TRAI asking it to put airwaves in the 800 MHz band for sale.