CDMA royalty: Left MP seeks PM intervention

The CDMA royalty issue is getting a political hue, with a Left MP seeking PM's intervention to reduce the levies and bring them on par with that in Korea and China.

This follows the recent visit of Qualcomm chief Paul Jacobs, who had met government and CDMA operators in the country, but did not reach a conclusive agreement on the royalty issue.

A letter signed by MP and Member of the Standing Committee on Railways, Abani Roy, and addressed to the PM, states: "India is charged over 8 per cent royalty as compared to 2 per cent in China and South Korea and nil charges for Qualcomm's home nation, the US," the letter, a copy of which is available with Business Standard, said.