Telecom operators asked to pay Rs. 8,000 crore spectrum fee by January 15

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The government has asked telecom operators to pay the first installment of Rs. 8,115.68 crore of one-time spectrum fee by January 15, sources said. If telecom operators opt to make payment in installments, then first installment of all companies will be little over Rs. 8,000 crore which they will have to pay by January 15, a government source said.

Sources said that the first installment for Vodafone amounts to around Rs. 2,093 crore, Airtel's Rs. 1,758 crore, BSNL's Rs. 1,282.98 crore and MTNL's Rs. 916 crore. The same of Idea Cellular is Rs. 810 crore (includes Rs. 84.45 crore of Spice Communications), Aircel's Rs. 584 crore (includes Rs. 1.98 core of Dishnet), Loop Mobile's Rs. 607 crore and for Reliance Communications' about Rs. 63 crore. When contacted Bharti Airtel and RCom declined to comment on the issue, while no immediate comment could be received from other operators.


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Supreme Court allows more time for revoked telecom licences

Supreme Court allowed on Monday mobile phone carriers, whose permits were due to be revoked this week as per an earlier court order, to continue services until it hears the case next on February 4, a lawyer on the case said.

The telecommunications ministry had argued before the court that allowing the carriers to operate until the next airwave auction, due in March, will help generate more interest in the auction after the government failed to sell all available spectrum in an auction last November.

Monday's court order will help Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian unit to continue operations beyond a January 18 deadline in the 21 services areas where its permits are to be revoked. It would also allow Telenor's Indian unit to continue services in Mumbai.


Supreme Court allows more time for revoked telecom licences - India - IBNLive