The government expects $5.2 billion spectrum fee from incumbent operators

The government is expecting spectrum fee of about $5.2 billion from the existing operators, say news reports.

The government is considering asking existing operators to match the 2G auction determined price for additional spectrum held by them.

Earlier, a panel of ministers had recommended to the government that GSM operators should pay a fee for spectrum held beyond 4.4 MHz, whereas CDMA operators should pay a fee for spectrum in excess of 2.5 Mhz.

The final decision on the spectrum fee to be paid by existing operators for excess spectrum held by them is going to be taken by the cabinet.