NEW DELHI, July 1 (Reuters) - Vodafone Group Plc's Indian unit, which is in a dispute with the government over therenewal of its licences in three key cities, is offering to pay40 billion rupees ($673 million) for the extension of thepermits, the company said in a letter dated June 18 to thetelecoms ministry and seen by Reuters.
The price offered by Vodafone for airwaves in Delhi, Mumbaiand Kolkata is about a quarter of the value set by thegovernment in an auction that had been scheduled for March 2013but never took place because there were no bidders.
Vodafone's offer price is for the extension of the licencesfor 20 years, along with its current airwave holdings in thethree cities, the company wrote to the government'stelecommunication secretary, adding it was willing to discussthe issue further to arrive at mutually agreed terms andconditions.
Vodafone (VOD)
