Idea Cellular, in its petition before TDSAT, had said that following its merger with Spice Telecom, the latter doesn't exist and all its rights be treated by DoT as those of the Aditya Birla group firm.

It submitted that despite several requests by the group, DoT has not amended Letter of Intent (LoI) and failed to issue 3G licence in Punjab to Idea Cellular.

It further submitted DoT was not issuing 3G spectrum (radio waves) to the company although, as per the agreement, it was to have been allotted in September. All the other 3G licence holders have already received spectrum by September 1.

Idea cellular had paid Rs 5,768 crore to get licenses of 3G mobile service in 11 circles and it had paid Rs 322 crore for Punjab circle.

Of the 11 service areas, where (LoIs) have been granted to Idea -- earmarking 3G spectrum, the company holds licences in 10 circles. In case of Punjab, however, the licence is being held by Spice.