No need for telecom firms to exit,says Sibal

Asked whether he would recommend some of the global telecom giants,who too have been affected by the Supreme Court order cancelling 122 licences,to stay on in the country,Sibal said: Why should any current player not be in business? All players should be in India. More players should come to India. The market has enormous depth. In fact,I have had talks,one to one,with each of them. Everybody believes in the Indian market.

Everybody believes in the future of telecom in India,in spite of whatever is happening. And,I am sure that,in the next six months or so,you will see a turnaround, he said.

Sibal said he would like to see more competition,less prices,and more benefits to the consumer in the telecom market. Not so much money in the pocket of the exchequer,but more money in the pocket of the consumer because the consumer spends it much better. Saving money for the consumer is a better economic option, he said.

Talking about the Presidential reference that the UPA government has made to the Supreme Court on its February order cancelling the licences,Sibal said his dream order would be if the court says that the government has the freedom of choice to decide on policy matters relating to allocation of natural resources.

The way forward is by and large auction. But still there should be enough freedom,because sometimes,in certain circumstances,auction is not the best way forward. That freedom should be given to us,and of course,if somebody decides arbitrarily,or with mala fide,then those decisions should be struck down. But you cannot freeze policy making. You cannot freeze the freedom of choice to the government, he said.