Tata Tele offers to surrender spectrum without auction, awaits merger

Tata Teleservices has offered to surrender its spectrum without auction in around 15 circles before the telecom department (DoT) approves the debt-ridden company’s merger with Bharti Airtel, said an official.

"In a meeting with DoT, Airtel and Tata Teleservices offered to surrender 2.5 megahertz of spectrum assigned to Tata Tele administratively in 800 Mhz band in all circles," the official told PTI.

Spectrum in 800 Mhz band can be used for 4G services, but Tata Teleservices’s asset across 15-16 circles can be used for 2G services. The spectrum cannot be transferred to Airtel.

Tata Teleservices is required to pay the present market rate