TRAI has stated that DoT must consult the regulator before taking a final decision on imposing a uniform licence fee of 8.5 per cent of the operators’ total revenues. DoT has been considering replacing the existing system to help the government avoid any arbitrage with the integrated operators who try to minimise their licence fee obligation through the variable charge regime. But TRAI has stated that the issue will have wide implications for the industry, stakeholders, subscribers and government finances.