Telcos owe Rs 245 bn as spectrum fee in 2019; Voda Idea to pay Rs 122 bn

Vodafone Idea is already facing severe financial pressure, with an Ebidta margin of only 6 per cent in the September quarter

Telecom companies will have to pay the government Rs 245 billion next year as deferred payment for spectrum won earlier. This is equivalent to almost the entire estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebidta) of these companies this financial year (2018-19). 

Some of them are already asking for a deferment of this payment deadline.

Almost half this amount, Rs 122 billion, has to be paid by Vodafone Idea. It is facing severe financial pressure, with an Ebidta margin of only 6 per cent in the September quarter. The industry average was 20-22 per cent. 

The merged firm also has a huge