Thaindian News

New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) Norwegian firm Telenor Thursday sought a fair deal from the Indian government to protect its investment in the country after the Supreme Court cancelled the licence of its joint venture Uninor, while analysts viewed the verdict as a setback for foreign investment in the sector, at least in the short run.

“We look to the government to arrive at a fair outcome that doesn’t jeopardize our lawful investment,” said Glenn Mandelid, director of communications, Telenor Group.

“We are reviewing the order and will consider necessary actions to safeguard our investment.”

The Supreme Court cancelled all 122 licences issued to telecom firms in 2008. However, the apex court has given four months’ time to the country’s telecom regulator to look into the matter and make recommendations for the fresh auctions.

Mandelid said the Supreme Court’s decision should not be inflicted on its investment, as the company’s participation in the Indian JV started after 2008 spectrum allocation.

Telenor has invested more than Rs.6,100 crore in equity and over Rs.8,000 crore in corporate guarantees as a foreign investor in Uninor.

Uninor on its behalf said it had been unfairly treated, even as it followed the regulatory process to acquire the 2G spectrum.

Another telcom operator, Sistema Shyam TeleServices (SSTL) a joint venture between Sistema Joint Stock Financial Corporation of Russia and the Shyam Group of India, which operates under MTS brand in India, said it would resort to all means under the law to protect its interests.

“The company would like to state that being a law abiding organisation, it reserves the right to protect its interests by using all available judicial remedies.”

Analysts pointed out that players like Sistema and Etisalat are government-controlled companies and these foreign governments would now be cautious about doing business in India.

Etisalat said it had no knowledge of what occurred in the licence application process for Swan, which were conducted by the promoters and their associates who subsequently marketed the Swan investment opportunity to Etisalat through an international investment bank.

“The SC decision relates to events that occurred in January 2008, well before December 2008 when Etisalat invested in Swan. Etisalat has no knowledge of what occurred in the licence application process for Swan, far less did it have any involvement.”