Govt likely to ask telecom biggies to shell out Rs 37,000 cr for extra spectrum

Just when the telecom industry was reeling under the shock of 122 2G licences being canceled, the government in yet another blow to telecom players may ask major players like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea to pay Rs 37,000 for the excess spectrum that they hold.

[caption id=“attachment_208000” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The move is clearly not a setback for the government as out of 122 MHz, 67 is held by BSNL. Clivedarr/Flickr”]  [/caption]

According to IBN Live a draft Cabinet note is set to recommend the same, and “sources say that the draft is expected to be finalised within a week; a decision on this is likely in the next two weeks. "

If any telecom player is holding spectrum in excess of 6.2 megahertz- which is considered as start-up spectrum, then they will be charged.According to the note, the spectrum should be charged from the date of the allocation.

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The move is clearly not a setback for the government as out of 122 MHz, 67 is held by BSNL.