MUMBAI, March 23 (Reuters) - India has rejected a request bya unit of Vodafone Group Plc's to extend its mobilephone licenses in three key service areas, the operator said,escalating a feud between carriers and the government in theworld's second-biggest mobile phone market.
The telecommunications ministry has asked Vodafone India Ltdand Bharti Airtel Ltd, another top carrier, to winback airwaves in an auction in areas where they complete 20years in November 2014.
The companies have challenged the auction in a court andstayed away from a bidding process that began last month.
Vodafone has previously said it believed it was entitled toan extension of licenses on terms that are mutually agreed andwithout having to bid in an auction.
"Vodafone is deeply disappointed with the summary rejectionof its request for extension of licenses in Delhi, Mumbai andKolkata service areas," the company said in a statement late onFriday.
A Bharti Airtel spokesman declined to comment on the statusof the company's request seeking extension of permits.