The mop-up is likely to be made possible due to improving financial health of the telecom sector, leading to rise in licence fee and spectrum charges, while a good quantum of money will come from state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) for its 5G spectrum payment. The company never participates in auctions but always pays a market-determined price for its spectrum needs.
The government is expected to achieve its revenue target of ₹1.2 lakh crore from the telecom sector in the next financial year, even without a major spectrum auction. The increasing financial health of the telecom sector, resulting in higher licence fees and spectrum charges, along with significant payments from state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) for its 5G spectrum, is anticipated to contribute to the revenue goal. While a spectrum auction is planned, the response is predicted to be subdued as operators acquired sufficient airwaves in the August 2022 sale to meet their 5G requirements.
Department Of Telecommunications: As per an order issued on December 11, the DoT said, "A construction period of three months is permitted for the purpose of import of the equipment, site preparedness, deployment, etc. and spectrum charges be levied, after three months period from the 1st day of the month of date of issue of letter of intent (Lol)."
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has revised its methodology to charge spectrum charges on captive users, rationalizing fees paid by such players. The new concept is area-based, benefiting industries like Railways, ONGC, BHEL, and mining. The DoT will also provide three months of grace time for setting up networks, with no spectrum charges for the period.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked the Supreme Court for three weeks time to review its decision to penalise telcos - Airtel and Vodafone Idea - for a delay in paying one-time spectrum charges.