The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has fixed 1 per cent spectrum usage charge (SUC) for satellite-based services provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
The DoT in an office memorandum said that BSNL shall pay spectrum charges as a percentage of its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) which will also cover the spectrum charges for handsets and for the gateway. Further, it added that the applicable charges shall be 1 per cent of the AGR of BSNL’s satellite based services under ‘sui-generis’ category. The spectrum charges shall be applicable from the date of inception of global satellite phone services (GSPS). As per the memorandum, excess payment, if any, made by BSNL with regard to this service will be adjusted against the other SUC dues payable by BSNL to DoT.
At present, BSNL provides satellite phone service to government organisations, shipping companies etc that are authorised by the home ministry.
