Optimistic about solution to 2G issues: Uninor

Uninor,a joint venture between Norway8217;s Telenor and Indian real estate major Unitech,lost 22 licences after the Supreme Court cancelled 122 licences of various telecom operators on February 2 in the 2G spectrum scam case.

Referring to the plans to form a new entity in India,Brekke said Telenor,which now holds 67 per cent stake in the company,is talking with a handful of local companies,though it would hold 74 per cent stake in the new entity.

8220;Our new partner will not be a telecom operator and it will be a partner without getting involved in operations,8221; he said,adding that separation with Unitech was in the arbitration process in Singapore.

Brekke said that Telenor8217;s current investment in India was around Rs 14,500 crore.

8220;We have to secure the current investments and hence a notice on bilateral treaty has been sent to the Indian government. The consultations are going on and I assume that solution will be found out.

8220;We have already said that the total investment here in India will be around Rs 16,500 crore,and we see the break-even happening in first half of the next year.8221;

To a query,Brekke said Uninor has decided to focus on affordable voice services,rather than the 3G. 8220;As a newcomer8230;we have decided to be very very focused on voice and later move to data services which will be done in a step-by-step manner.8221;