The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed operators to make minimum payments worth Rs 185.29 billion for the spectrum acquired in the recently concluded auction, by February 27, 2014. If the payment is not received by the last date, DoT will forfeit earnest money deposited by the operators.
Seven operators including Vodafone India, Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Reliance Jio Infocomm, Telewings Communications, Reliance Communications and Aircel won the spectrum in the third round of spectrum auction. According to DoT, the operators who have won spectrum have to pay at least Rs 185.29 billion in case they opt to make payments in installments.
Operators who have acquired spectrum in the 1800 MHz band have to make an upfront payment for the 33 per cent of the total spectrum acquired and have the option of paying for the remaining amount in 10 yearly installments after a two-year moratorium period. For the spectrum acquired in the 900 MHz band, the operators have the option of paying 25 per cent of the total bid price upfront and pay the rest of the amount in yearly installments.
