The Competition Commission (CCI) has approved the merger of four broadband wireless business entities jointly owned by Qualcomm and Bharti Airtel, reports Business Standard. Qualcomm owns 51% stake in each of these four companies while the remaining 49% equity is owned by Bharti Airtel. Qualcomm's four BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) entities in Delhi (WBBS Delhi), Kerala (WBBS Kerala) and Haryana (WBBS Haryana) would be merged with Wireless Business Services Pvt Ltd (WBSPL). The Wireless Business Services Pvt Ltd. was allotted licenses for BWA (high-speed internet) services in these three states and in Mumbai. The report states that the shareholding pattern of each of WBSPL, WBBS Delhi, WBBS Haryana and WBBS Kerala before the merger and the shareholding pattern of WBSPL after the merger would remain the same. Hence, it will not give rise to any adverse competition concern, however, acccording to the CCI, the order would be revoked, if at any time, the information provided to it is found to be incorrect. Time-line of events: - In June 2010, Qualcomm had won BWA spectrum in four circles including Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala and Haryana for Rs. 4912.54 crore, with Mumbai being the costliest circle for the company at Rs 2292.95 crore. - In January 2011, India’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) had given the approval for Qualcomm to invest in its Indian Broadband Wireless Access venture. - In March 2012, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued an Internet Service Provider (ISP) license to Qualcomm, enabling the company to roll out BWA services (4G) in the country. However, the company did…
