Telenor CEO Sigve Brekke says India strategy hinges on mobile frequency price

Norwegian mobile phone operator Telenor will reconsider its India strategy if buying more frequencies in the country becomes unaffordable, Chief Executive Sigve Brekke said while presenting the company’s fourth quarter earnings on Wednesday.

“The future of the Indian operation will depend on additional spectrum. There is a plan coming and we’re going to have a pragmatic and prudent approach. They are planning to put a lot of spectrum up for auction,” Brekke said.

“If we can’t justify the revenue return on spectrum prices, we will consider all other alternatives,” he added.

Telenor has 42.6 million customers in India but has struggled to turn a profit in the country.