Cabinet may discuss a relief package for stressed telecom sector today

The government effort in preparing a telecom package is to ensure that the telecom sector does not become a duopoly

The Union Cabinet is likely to discuss a relief package for the financially stressed telecom sector on Wednesday, according to sources in the government. As part of the package, there could be some relaxation on payment of levies to the government including a one-year moratorium on spectrum installment due in April 2022. 

Among other things, the Centre has held several rounds of discussions on encouraging telecom companies to monetize their assets via InvIT and REIT instruments, an official at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said. The idea is to back telcos with sovereign assurance while they get to tap international investors.