In continuation of the license renewal issue, Vodafone India has reportedly offered to pay the government Rs 40 billion to retain its licenses and spectrum in the Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata circles. The company?s licences in these circles will lapse next year.
The company plans to pay Rs 6 billion for retaining spectrum in Kolkata and Rs 17 billion each for Delhi and Mumbai. The company has calculated these figures by doubling the reserve price fixed for 3G spectrum in 2010 for retaining allocated spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. For retaining spectrum in the 900 MHz band, the company has offered to pay 1.3 times more. Vodafone India has asked DoT to impose a flat spectrum charge of 3 per cent, compared to the existing slab system.
Prior to this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had stated that the operator would be required to participate in the upcoming auction to win back spectrum in these circles. The operator then clarified that it was not requesting DoT to extend its license on the same terms as those specified in 1994, but based on mutual discussion.
