DoT goes to court against Airtel’s merger with Tata Tele arm

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has moved the Supreme Court against the telecom tribunal’s decision that mandated it to clear the merger deal between Bharti Airtel and the consumer mobility business of Tata Teleservices.
DoT has sought dues worth over Rs 8,000 crore on account of one-time spectrum charges (OTSC) and said in its appeal to the apex court that the demand was based on the licence conditions, said people aware of the developments. The appeal was filed last week and hearing has been set for November 15.
The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) had in May partially stayed DoT’s demand for about Rs 8,300 crore in bank guarantee on OTSC, citing that similar orders in merger cases in the telecom industry by various courts, including the Bombay High Court.