India grants Internet service license to Qualcomm

India grants Internet service license to QualcommThe Indian government has granted a an Internet service license to Qualcomm, allowing the company to launch its services in the country.

The US company will soon get wireless broadband services permit in the country. Qualcomm obtained wireless broadband airwaves (BWA) in the June 2010 during an auction. The company had paid Rs. 4,913 crore for obtaining the licenses to operate in Delhi, Mumbai, Haryana and Kerala.

Qualcomm is planning to offer high speed Internet in these regions in the country. A government tribunal had asked the company to pay 410 crore of license fee dues for TulipTelecom withint four weeks.

TulipTelecom is the first joint venture partners of Qualcomm in the country. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had cancelled Qualcomm's permit because it did not apply for and acquire licenses within the three months of the auction.

According to reports, TulipTelecom has 13 percent stake in the Qualcomm's India operations. Qualcomm had applied for permits in December 2010 but the auctions were conducted in June 2010. Qualcomm also applied BWA permits though four firms, violating auction guidelines. Now the company has resolved all its differences with the country and will soon begin operations in the country.