CCI vets spectrum contracts

Fair trade watchdog CCI has sought details from Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel about their respective telecom spectrum trading deals as it seeks to ensure that these transactions do not hurt competition in the market. Sources said CCI has written to Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, with regard to their spectrum trading deals with RCOM and Aircel respectively, asking them to submit all relevant details pertaining to these transactions. The two companies have been asked to submit the required details within respective deadlines given to them, sources said.

When asked, an Airtel spokesperson said, “We will file all relevant details within the stipulated timeframe.”

Queries sent to Reliance Jio on whether it has submitted the details to the CCI remained unanswered.

The Competition Act provides that the companies need to submit details to the CCI of all major business combinations proposed by them and take its approval, but such transactions have mostly been mergers and acquisitions and it is the first instance of spectrum trading deals being looked into by it. Sources said other telecom operators may also be asked to provide these details to CCI for such transactions, while adding that there was a possibility that CCI in future may even look into the spectrum sharing transactions.