S Tel
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = S Tel Private Limited
| logo = S_Tel_Logo.svg
| logo_size = 100px
| type = Limited
| fate = License cancelled by the Supreme Court of India
| foundation = January 2008
| defunct = February 2012
| Operating Frequency =
| slogan =
| company_vision =
| industry = Telecommunications
| location =
| revenue =
| parent =
| homepage =
}}
S Tel Private Limited was a GSM based cellular operator in India. It was owned jointly by Chinakannan Sivasankaran. (51%) and Bahrain Telecommunications (49%).{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/telecom/Sivasankaran-acquires-control-of-S-Tel/articleshow/4678701.cms|title=Sivasankaran acquires control of S Tel|last=Dave|first=Sachin|date=20 June 2009|work=India Times - Economic Times|publisher=India Times|accessdate=25 January 2010}} On 2 February 2012 Supreme Court of India cancelled all 122 spectrum licences granted during the tenure of former communications minister A Raja. Six licences of S Tel were cancelled, and Batelco sold its stake in S Tel. The sale was completed in late 2012.{{cite web|last=Biswas |first=Rudradeep |url=http://telecomtalk.info/batelco-exits-scam-filled-indian-telecom-market-sells-of-shares-in-stel/87767/#more-87767 |title=Batelco Exits Scam Filled Indian Telecom Market, Sells of Shares in STel |publisher=Telecomtalk.info |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2013-11-27}}
Controversy
=License cancelled by Supreme Court=
{{main article|2G spectrum case}}
On 2 February 2012, The Supreme Court of India cancelled all 122 spectrum licences granted during the tenure of former communications minister A Raja, including the 6 licenses granted to S Tel.{{cite web|author=PTI |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-02-09/news/31038339_1_batelco-stel-s-tel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212615/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-02-09/news/31038339_1_batelco-stel-s-tel |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 October 2013 |title=2G case: Batelco exits STel after SC order; sells stake for $175 mn - Economic Times |publisher=Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=2012-02-09 |accessdate=2013-11-27}}{{cite news|title=Supreme Court quashes 122 2G licences awarded in 2008|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_supreme-court-quashes-122-2g-licences-awarded-in-2008_1645296|newspaper=DNA}} The Supreme Court of India also imposed a fine of {{INR}} 50 lakh on S Tel.{{cite news|title=2G scam: SC scraps 122 licences granted under Raja's tenure, trial court to decide on Chidambaram's role|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2G-scam-SC-scraps-122-licences-granted-under-Rajas-tenure-trial-court-to-decide-on-Chidambarams-role/articleshow/11725097.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202018/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-02/india/31016262_1_spectrum-licences-2g-spectrum-allotment-case|url-status=live|archive-date=29 October 2013|newspaper=The Times of India| date=2 February 2012}}{{cite web|title=122 licenses Cancelled|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/2g-verdict-sc-cancels-122-licenses-issued-after-jan-2008_661271.html|work= Money Control|date=2 February 2012}}
=Batelco sells stake=
On 8 February 2012, a few days after The Supreme Court ruling, Batelco sold its 42.7% share of S Tel to Sky City Foundation Ltd of India for 65.8 million Bahraini dinar (US$174.5 million).{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/dealjournalindia/2012/02/08/batelco-to-sell-stel-stake-to-indias-sky-city-foundation/ |title=Batelco to Sell STel Stake to India’s Sky City Foundation - Deal Journal India - WSJ |publisher=Blogs.wsj.com |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2013-11-27}}{{cite news|title=Batelco hangs up as SC blow hits home|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_batelco-hangs-up-as-sc-blow-hits-home_1647658|newspaper=DNA}} Batelco's Group Chief Executive Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa Al Khalifa said in a statement, "BMIC Limited, a 100 per cent Batelco-owned subsidiary company, entered into an agreement, in the fourth quarter of 2011 to sell its 42.7 per cent stake in S Tel for USD 174.5 million to its Indian partner, Sky City Foundation Limited". The sale was to be completed by the end of October 2012.{{cite web|url=http://businesstoday.intoday.in/story/batelco-stel-2g-cancellation/1/22247.html |title=Batelco exits STel; sells stake for $175mn - Business Today - Business News |publisher=Businesstoday.intoday.in |date=2012-02-08 |accessdate=2013-11-27}}
=Current status=
S Tel services is no longer available in India following the cancellation of its six UAS licenses on 17 February 2012. On 29 February 2012 it was reported that S Tel boss Sivasankaran wrote to Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, demanding Rs. 1700 Crore investment while offering to surrender its licenses.{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/2G-verdict-fallout-Return-my-Rs-1700-crore-S-Tel-boss-Sivasankaran-writes-to-Manmohan-Singh/articleshow/12084578.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=2G verdict fallout: Return my Rs 1700 crore, S Tel boss Sivasankaran writes to Manmohan Singh - The Times of India}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Telecommunication companies of India}}
Category:Telecommunications companies of India
Category:Mobile phone companies of India
Category:Companies based in Gurgaon
Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2008
Category:Telecommunications companies disestablished in 2012
Category:Indian companies established in 2008