New Telecom Policy to give clarity on future: Uninor

Welcoming the Cabinet nod to the New Telecom Policy, managing director of Uninor Sigve Brekke said that it would give clarity on future government policy before the auctions. However, he once again reiterated that if TRAI's recommendations on 2G are accepted, the company would have little option, but to shut shop in India.

He says, “It is very good that the government is now clearing the future policies not only on the auction, but also other policies because you have full visibility on how the future will look like before going into the auction. Therefore, the more clarity we have, the less uncertainty, the best it is for the sector.” Brekke further says, “We have said that if the current TRAI recommendations as it stand unchanged, we will be forced to leave. So, we need certain changes to those recommendations. One, more spectrum needed to be put into auction. We have made it very clear that all available spectrum should be put in. Secondly, we need obligation to stand at it, not change it. Thirdly, we think the reserve price is too high. Fourthly, which is important for us now, we also need the payment structure which will enable us to pay whatever the discovery price will be.”