EGoM decides to adjust entry fee paid by Uninor

An Empowered Group of Minister (EGOM) on Wednesday decided to allow Norwegian telecom firm Telenor's Indian arm to adjust Rs 1,658 crore licence fee it had paid in 2008 against the final price it has to pay for buying spectrum.

Uninor, formerly Unitech Wireless, had paid an entry fee of Rs 1,658 crore for licence to operate in 22 telecom zones in 2008. However, all of its licences were among the 122 permits that Supreme Court cancelled last year.

The companies whose licences were cancelled were asked to buy spectrum in government auction. Telenor participated in November 2012 spectrum auction through new entity Telewings Communications and won airwaves in six circles for Rs 4,018.28 crore.

The Ministerial panel decided that the company will have to pay only about Rs 2,360 crore after deducting Rs 1,658 crore it had already paid in 2008, sources said. As per the government scheme, companies which had bid and won spectrum in the November auction were allowed to adjust the entry fee they paid for licences that were cancelled by Supreme Court in February 2012. However the panel has not taken any decision on any other issue.