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Airtel ‘may buy 4G licences’ from Qualcomm
12 April 2012
Indian operator Airtel in ‘advanced discussions’ for $1.15 billion purchase of 4G licences from Qualcomm
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Airtel
India
Qualcomm
BWA
broadband wireless
4G
Indian operator Bharti Airtel is in talks to acquire 4G licences from Qualcomm for about $1.15 billion, which will facilitate the roll out of 4G services in the Indian cities of Delhi and Mumbai, according to local reports.
The deal will also include technology agreements, and may be closed by June, reported the Economic Times, citing an unnamed source.
Qualcomm holds a 74% stake in two ventures, Wireless Broadband Services and Wireless Business Services, while local partners Tulip Telecom and Global Holding Corporation each own a 13% stake.
The companies will together offer wireless broadband internet services in Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala and Haryana, for which Qualcomm won spectrum in a 2010 auction. Qualcomm’s subsequent talks to sell its 74% stake in the ventures to Airtel were put off after its mobile broadband permits were cancelled because it had not applied for licences within three months of the auction, and had applied for permits using the names of four separate companies, thereby violating auction conditions.
However, India’s Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal recently ruled in favour of Qualcomm, said the report. The firm may now be granted spectrum in 10 days, which could revive talks and lead to a deal. GTB
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