India's telecommunication department (DoT) has denied mobile operator Vodafone's request for extension of licences in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata for ten years when they come up for renewal in late 2014, reports The Economic Times. In a communication to Vodafone India, the DoT said that under the new policy on spectrum allocation, airwaves have been delinked from licences. Therefore, the firm must participate in the auctions to be held later this year to access airwaves at market prices. The department went on to add that government held the sole right to allocate spectrum and that Vodafone India cannot claim any pre-emptive right on the extension of its permits. A Vodafone India spokesperson said the company was "deeply disappointed" with the rejection of its request. A top communications ministry official added that similar notices would go out to Bharti Airtel in the week starting 25 March.
