The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the petitions filed by a host of telecom operators, seeking an extension of their existing licences for spectrum, or airwaves, for various service areas across the country.
"We see no merit in these appeals and writ petitions. Therefore, all the appeals and writ petitions are dismissed," said the judgement of a Bench of Justices J Chelameswar and RK Agrawal, dismissing the clutch of petitions on similar lines.
The telecom companies, like Bharti Airtel, Idea, Vodafone and Reliance, had moved the court seeking extension of their licences in different circles, which are about to expire. They contended that under the terms of contract, they had a right to have their claim for extension considered.
In December this year, seven licences each of Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications, four licences of Bharti Airtel and six licences of Vodafone were set complete their 20-year term after which they hoped to have them renewed. In total, there are 29 licences in 18 service areas, set to expire this fiscal.