Telenor might claim compensation from government

Telecom sector firm, Telenor might be planning to claim compensation for all investment, guarantees and damages from the Indian government as the company is set to loose its 2G telecom licenses as part of an order form the Supreme court of India.

Earlier reports had indicated that Telenor might claim cost of losing Indian telecom licenses from Unitech. Telenor and Unitech jointly operate the Uninor brand in India through a joint venture. The joint venture between the two is one of the firms that will see its license being cancelled. The two companies have decided to end the venture after the Supreme Court of India announced its decision to cancel 122 telecom licenses in the country.

Unitech has said Telenor cannot end the joint venture agreement on its own and said that it has a right to block any transfer of assets. The Company Law Board had recently asked Unitech to make its position clear on wheter it wants to acquire Telenor's stake in the joint venture or sell its own stake to Telenor.

According to a report, Telenor has served a notice to the Indian government claiming close to $ 14 billion in damages. However, Telenor ASA has said that it has not specified any particular compensation amount in its letter to the Indian government.

Company's spokeswoman, Glenn Mandelid said that the company would seek all investment, guarantees and damages from the government.