The Union Cabinet has cleared the proposal to refund the spectrum fee paid by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Sanchar Nigam Limited (MTNL) for surrendering the broadband wireless spectrum (BWA) acquired by the two operators in 2010.
Earlier, owing to their poor financial performance, both the operators had approached the government for surrendering their BWA spectrum and sought refunds for the spectrum fee. The Union cabinet has accepted BSNL and MTNL?s request to refund a total amount of Rs 120 billion.
BSNL has surrendered spectrum in six circles ? Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kolkata. The operator will be refunded Rs 67.24 billion. MTNL has surrendered BWA spectrum in the Mumbai and Delhi circle and will be refunded Rs 45.33 billion.
