Telenor seeks clarity on 2G controversy

NEW DELHI: With its Indian partner coming under the scanner in the 2G spectrum scam, Norway's telecom firm Telenor, a majority partner in Unitech Wireless, today sought an early clarity on the controversy.

Telenor owns 67.25 per cent stake in Unitech Wireless and has invested Rs 6,135.63 crore in it. The telecom joint venture offers mobile services under the brand name Uninor.

"Telenor welcomes an early clarity on these issues," it said in a statement.

Uninor and many other telecoms operators as well as the federal government through the Department of Telecommunications ( DoT) and the Trai have been named as respondents in public interest petitions filed before the Supreme Court, it said.

Earlier, Norwegian firm Telenor had asked Sanjay Chandra, who is in the CBI custody facing various telecom and licence- related charges, to step down from the post of Chairmanship till he is given a clean chit.

The CBI has named Chandra and Unitech Wireless, prior to the entry of Telenor, in its chargesheet as part of investigations into irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum and licences in 2008.

Recently, some differences have also emerged between Telenor and Unitech Wireless over rights issue, which is now in the court and will come for hearing on May 15.

The company holds a pan-India licence to offer mobile telephony services in each of India's 22 circles.

It has rolled out services in 21 circles but is commercially present in 13 circles across India - UP West (including Uttaranchal), UP East, Bihar (including Jharkhand), Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mumbai, West Bengal, Kolkata and Gujarat.