2G: Government assures protection to mobile subscribers

Bangalore, Feb 6: The government has assured to protect mobile subscribers of their interest following the Supreme Court verdict to quash 122 telecom licences, which have been termed "illegal".

The government, however, said that the customers would not be affected in the wake of the 2G verdict as they have been granted four months time to cease operations, which means that users will have enough time to shift to other service providers.

"Government is looking at various ways where we can help any subscriber to ensure his interest is protected," said Minister of State for Communications, Sachin Pilot.

"Supreme Court has given four months time. From what I understand subscriber base of companies that have been impacted by 2G verdict is very minuscule. There is mobile number portability for them. So there is not much on consumer per se," he added.

Ever since the verdict is out in the 2G spectrum case, telecom companies have been insisting that they have invested hugely in acquiring licenses and services.

While Telenor claims to have invested over Rs 8,000 crore in corporate guarantees and over Rs 6,100 crore in equity as a foreign investor, Sistema-Shyam claims to have invested over USD 2.5 billion (about Rs 12,500 crore). These two companies have said that they will take alternative measures to protect their investments in India.

Reports reveal that Telenor is also contemplating quitting the Indian market.

OneIndia News