TDSAT reserves order on Qualcomm plea

NEW DELHI: Telecom tribunal TDSAT today reserved its order on a plea by the US-based Qualcomm opposing reduction in the validity of licence period and changes in roll-out obligations on wireless broadband spectrum allotted to the company.

A TDSAT bench headed by its Chairman Justice S B Sinha reserved its order after briefly hearing the arguments from the Department of Telecom (DoT) and Qualcomm.

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.

Qualcomm got the spectrum after a legal battle with DoT.