DoT seeks consensus on calculation of spectrum charges

Amid a dispute over changes in calculations of spectrum charges, the Department of Telecom(DoT) has convened a meeting tomorrow to discuss a new formula.

The new proposal comes in the backdrop of the government recently excluding revenues from wireline business while calculating adjusted gross revenue of telcos for levying spectrum charges. At present, operators pay 2-6 per cent of AGR as spectrum charges.

Some operators have objected to the changes which they say contain some 'common components' — declaration of consolidated revenue (wireless and wireline).

Bharti Airtel in a letter to the DoT has said: "As a result, in our case, DoT has levied the spectrum charges on the entire consolidated revenue whereas significant revenue belongs to wireline services".

It added that the company had submitted audited segregated figures but the DoT has not considered it so far.

Sources said DoT is considering a new formula for the purpose of levying spectrum charges. The segregation of wireline and wireless services under the common revenue components will be done based on the proportion of the respective revenues.

Operators said this will negate the purpose of excluding wirline revenues from the ambit of calculating spectrum charges as it will again include wirline revenues.