Notices have been sent by the telecom department to Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, demanding around Rs 21,919 crore as upfront payment for spectrum bought in the recently ended auctions.
The Department of Telecommunications, in separate notices, has sought Rs 15,019.84 crore from Jio, Rs 6323.98 crore from Airtel and Rs 574.65 from Vodafone Idea, as upfront payment if the telcos choose the spread their dues over 16 years.
The carriers need to pay up in 10 working days.
In the 4G spectrum auctions ended on March 2, the government sold airwaves worth Rs 77,814 crore, or 37 per cent of the over 2308 MHz of spectrum of sale. The 700 MHz airwaves went unsold again, like in 2016.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sent to each telco the total value of the spectrum bought and also the amount owed to the telecom department if they choose the deferred payment option.
Jio picked up spectrum in 22 circles across India in the 800 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2300 MHz bands for Rs 57,123 crore. Rival Airtel acquired 355.45 MHz of spectrum across the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands, besides the 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz bands, for Rs 18,699 crore.
Vi, the least aggressive bidder in the 4G auction, bought 11.8 MHz of airwaves in five circles for Rs 1,993.4 crore and according to DoT.
