The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has received over Rs 1,000 crore this financial year from the winning bidders of 5G spectrum in the recently ended auction. While Reliance Jio paid just over Rs 95.7 crore, Vodafone Idea paid approximately Rs 315 crore, and Bharti Airtel deposited Rs 595 crore for spectrum payments.
All the three leading telcos have opted for 20 equal annual instalments. Both Airtel and Vodafone Idea had previously paid Rs 85 crore and Rs 30 crore, respectively, for interim spectrum usage, which was adjusted in the first installment.
DoT had earlier sent demand notices to all the three telecom service providers and asked them to pay the amount in 10 days.
In the recent spectrum auction, which concluded on June 26, Bharti Airtel made a substantial investment, acquiring 97 MHz of 5G airwaves worth Rs 6,856.76 crore. Vodafone Idea also made a notable purchase, securing 30 MHz of 5G spectrum for Rs 3,510.40 crore. Reliance Jio, on the other hand, made its lowest-ever investment in spectrum auctions, buying spectrum worth Rs 973.62 crore.
Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have renewed spectrum in circles where permits were expiring, receiving provisional spectrum in those areas.
The government raised a modest Rs 11,340.78 crore from its second 5G spectrum sale, with Bharti Airtel emerging as the top buyer, amid predictably subdued bidding activity.
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