Telecom operators which had applied for pan-India licenses way back in 2005 could now face heavy penalties for not having launched their networks within the required time frames.
The Department Of Telecommunication (DoT) had initially considered a total fine amount of Rs 477 crore, however has recently reduced the same to Rs 135.60 crore, after having several rounds of meetings with reperesentatives of the various telecom service providers.
Each of the service operators have been given a major benefit with this reduced amount, which is as per the latest calculation of the revised liquidated damages. A total of 96 cases have been filed by the DoT against 10 operators, accordingly to high-up sources in the DoT.
The break-up of the fines are as follows:
Major players such as the Tatas would be charged Rs crore, Airtel Rs 31 crore, Reliance Rs 19.65 crore while smaller players such as Aircel and HFCL would be charged 28.85 crore and Rs 7 crore, respectively.
The only operators who are excluded from paying any penalty are Vodafone-Essar, and Public-Sector enterprises BSNL and MTNL.
