Why was Telenor licence quashed? Asks Norway

NEW DELH, INDIA: Telecom minster Kapil Sibal on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that Russia and Norway reached out to Indian government and sought clarity on the recent apex court’s verdict on quashing 122 telecom licences.

In a written reply, Sibal said that the Norwegian government has sought deliberations on the Supreme Court order on cancelling licences that were obtained by Telenor.

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The Russian government, he said, conveyed that Sistema Shyam Telecommunications (SSTL) investors would be affected.

“It has invested more than $3 billion in the telecom sector, but licences were cancelled, which they understand, but it would have impact on its investors,” Sibal said.

The Supreme Court on February 2 had quashed 21 licences of SSTL and cancelled 22 licences of Uninor– a joint venture between Telenor and Unitech Wireless.