The Supreme Court on Friday directed that the telcos whose 2G licenses were cancelled following its February 2, 2012 verdict and failed to win spectrum in the auction will have to stop operations forthwith. This also applies to those who did not participate in the auction.
 
“The telecom companies which have been unsuccessful in the bidding and those after the cancellation of the licences did not participate in the fresh auction are directed to cease from continuing from operation forthwith and the successful bidders will immediately start in their respective circles," the court said.

Early this month Russia’s Sistema and Norway’s Telenor got a fresh breather with the Supreme Court allowing them to continue their operation till March 11when the later hears the case.

The court had said that the licences of the telcos who don’t participate in the auction to be held in March may not get further extension.

SSTL in a statement has said that a separate order would be issued by the Supreme Court with respect to the company.

Russian telecom giant Sistema which operates as MTS in India will participate in the auction for spectrum in 800 MHz band to be held in March. Now the company is likely to bid in at least in important category “A” and category “B” circles.

MTS did not participate in the auction that was held in November last year. It said that it did not do anything wrong and it had challenged the Supreme Court decision canceling its licences. The company had filed a curative petition in the Supreme Court.

Telenor which in November last year won spectrum in Gujarat, Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh east, Uttar Pradesh west and Andhra Pradesh has said that it would be difficult for it participate in the bid for Mumbai, if the reserve price for 1800 Mhz spectrum is not brought down by atleast 50%.
 
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