Vodafone's 20 year license tenure to operate in 7 circles will expire in December 2015. In May Vodafone has asked to extend its license tenure for another 10 years in TN , Up East, Gujarat, Rajasthan , Kerala , MH and in Haryana. This is not the first time DoT has rejected Vodafone's plea to license extension during FEB auction it has rejected once.
Vodafone India applied for renewal license under the licensing rules in 1995 when it got the license. As per the rules telcos were permitted to apply for extension of license tenure for another 10 years after the end of the primary term of 20 years. Vodafone's permits are expiring in December 2015.
License Expiry Dates for Vodafone India Circle-wise :
- Up East -12 Dec 2015
- Kerala - 12 Dec 2015
- Maharashtra - 19 Dec 2015
- Gujarat - 19 Dec 2015
- Tamil Nadu 12 Dec 2015
- Haryana - 12 Dec 2015
- Rajasthan - 12 Dec 2015
DoT wants Vodafone to acquire new operating license in 7 circles under the new unified license regime and buy spectrum during the next round of auction if it wants to continue to operate whereas for other operators like Airtel and Idea in some selected circles its license to operate will expire by Dec 2015.
What it means to Vodafone Customers:
For Vodafone Customers in 7 circles its going to be a wait and watch though all the 7 circles are important for Vodafone India and we don't think Vodafone will miss out any of those circles though there is nothing to panic and we believe Vodafone India will be go ahead with DoT suggestion to opt spectrum in those 7 circles..
