As per the Supreme Court order, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has transferred telecom licences of Spice Communications to Idea Cellular.

With this, Idea Cellular gets access in Punjab and Karnataka circles. The transfer of the licenses was subject to the final outcome of an Idea petition at the telecom tribunal challenging penalties imposed by the telecom department in connection with the acquisition of Spice which remain stayed.

The Supreme Court has directed the DoT to endorse the Spice licences to Idea, pursuant to Idea submitting an undertaking to the court as well as to the DoT, that if Idea is held liable by Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to pay the penalty as imposed by DoT, then the DoT can invoke the bank guarantees furnished by Idea.

The access to the license of Spice Communications will enable Idea to launch 3G services, for which it had bought airwaves in 2010.