Vodafone India and Bharti Airtel have applied for unified licences to continue providing telecom services in the Delhi and Mumbai circles.

As per the guidelines laid down in the Notice Inviting Application and following the recent spectrum auction, Vodafone India has applied for a unified licence in three circles - Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel is seeking licences for the Delhi and Kolkata circles.

The acquisition of a unified licence will lead to Vodafone India selling its 4.4 per cent indirect stake in Bharti Airtel, since the unified licencing norms bar a telecom operator from holding any stake in competitor.

Both Vodafone India and Bharti Airtel acquired spectrum afresh for continuing their services in respective circles as their 20-year licence period will expire in November 2014.