The Supreme Court today ruled that unsuccessful bidders and telecom companies whose licences were cancelled and didn't participate in fresh auction for 2G spectrum, will cease to operate forthwith. It said,telecom firms who continued operation after cancellation of licences will pay fee as per reserved price fixed for fresh auction in Nov 2012.A bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishnan further clarified that it was only concerned with the 1800 MHz and 800 MHz band and not with 900 MHz.The apex court had on February 2nd last year cancelled 122 licences for the 2G spectrum and had directed the DoT to hold fresh auction for them within four months which has been extended by interim orders from time to time. The apex court on January 14th had extended till February 4 the January 18 deadline for existing operators of 2G spectrum to carry out operations. The deadline was further extended till further orders.

The court in the earlier hearing wanted the Centre to spell out the price to be charged from the telecom companies for continuing with their services after cancellation of licences last year.

During the hearing, the bench had observed that the telecom operators enjoyed the benefit of its order to continue with operations till the fresh auction and they are liable to pay the reserved price after January 18, 2013.