RCom pays Rs 5,383.84 crore to DoT as spectrum liberalisation fee

NEW DELHI: Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications (RCom) said that it has paid Rs 5,383.84 crore as spectrum liberalisation fee to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for radiowaves in the 800/850 MHz band held by it in 16 telecom circles.

On January 12, DoT had asked RCom to pay Rs 5,384 crore for sharing its 800 MHz spectrum in 16 circles. The spectrum liberalisation fee would apply to all circles where airwaves weren’t sold via auctions.

"With reference to the earlier letter dated January 12, 2016, Reliance Communications Ltd has now informed BSE that RCOM has on January 20, 2016 paid an aggregate amount of Rs. 5383.84 crore as liberalisation fee to DoT in relation to spectrum in the 800 / 850 MHz band held by it in 16 telecom circles," the company informed to BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange)

"The Hon'ble Kolkata High Court vide its judgment dated January 14, 2016 has already directed that RCOM is not required to furnish any bank guarantees for disputed OTSC as required by DoT," it said.

Two days ago, Ambani brothers have announced the signing of agreements for change in spectrum alotment in 800 MHz band across 9 circles from RCcom to RJIL and for sharing of Spectrum in 800 MHz band across 17 circles,

Under the agreement , both companies also intend to enter into reciprocal intra circle roaming (ICR) arrangements. After the agreement RCom got immediate payout of Rs 4,500 crore from RJIL, and these proceeds were used to pay the Spectrum liberalisation cost.