Older mobile operators are running their networks without wireless permits. Reason: The Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Department of Telecom will not give any new permits until issues related to licence renewal, including the one-time spectrum fee, are decided.
This has put telecom companies, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone, in a spot because without the permit their operations can be technically termed illegal. For example, Bharti Airtel’s permit for using frequency band in Delhi expired on March 29 but has not been renewed. Similarly, Vodafone continues to offer services in Mumbai though its permit expired on March 27.
