India’s Videocon will complete its withdrawal from the mobile market next month, shutting down its network in its one remaining telecoms circle on February 15.
Videocon’s 3 million remaining customers in the Punjab area have been asked to switch to a new provider to avoid losing connectivity.
The operator’s licenses and spectrum in 17 circles were revoked following the 2G spectrum scandal in 2012, which involved a former telecoms minister allegedly granting favorable treatment to preferred operators during the allocation. A court revoked 122 telecoms licenses in the wake of the scandal.
Videocon subsequently bid for and won back spectrum in six circles, but last year the company sold these spectrum assets to Bharti Airtel and pulled out of the mobile market in these areas, leaving Punjab as its last remaining mobile operation.
But Videocon’s mobile license in Punjab is due to expire shortly, after the company was denied permission to have the license validity extended until 2027.
According to the report, Videocon has decided to exit the mobile sector due to the high cost of mobile spectrum in light of its recent experiences.
The company is concentrating on businesses including broadband, surveillance and security as well as enterprise services.