Telenor, Unitech spar over cancellation of Uninor licences

Blaming Unitech, Norwegian major Telenor on Wednesday sought "indemnity and compensation" from its Indian partner for the cancellation of 22 licences held by their telecom joint venture Uninor.

Telenor, which reaffirmed its commitment to the Indian telecom market, said in a statement that it would start the process of looking for a new partner since the strategic tie-up with Unitech "does not have a future".

The Norwegian firm has over 67 per cent stake in Uninor.

On February 2, the Supreme Court revoked 122 licences issued to all telecom operators on and from January 10, 2008, including those issued to Uninor.

However, Unitech denied the allegations and said that cancellation of licences by Supreme Court by questioning the government policy cannot be considered as breach of warranties on its part.

"We therefore emphatically deny that the cancellation of the UAS licences by the Hon'ble Supreme Court demonstrates a breach of any warranties on our part and the court also has not concluded any wrong-doing on the part of the licensee companies," Unitech's nominee on board of Uninor Nirjhar Goel said in a separate statement.

Telenor said it holds Unitech liable for the breach of warranties related to the cancellation of the licences ?" seeking compensation for all investment, guarantees and damages caused by the Supreme Court order.

Further, the Norwegian firm has made an indemnity claim against Unitech for the failure to obtain spectrum in the strategically critical Delhi circle.

Unitech sources alleged, meanwhile, that this as completely illegitimate and arm twisting by Telenor.

"The ulterior motive is to buy out the company at cheap valuation and bid for licences through a new partner," said a Unitech official.