Department of telecom to seek finance ministry nod for BSNL refund

KOLKATA: The department of telecom will seek the finance ministry's approval to refund Rs 6,724.5 crore to loss-making BSNL before re-selling its surrendered broadband wireless airwaves in six regions, telecom secretary R Chandrasekhar told ET.

The DoT feels BSNL's demand for an early refund is justified since the state-owned company shelled out a higher price for wireless broadband frequencies in the 2.5 GHz band, which were linked to the auction-discovered price of the more expensive 2.3 GHz band.

"The DoT, in-principle, supports BSNL's request for a refund as it has paid more; but, the department will consult the finance ministry on whether this can be done before the surrendered broadband wireless airwaves in the 2.5 GHz band are resold through an auction," said Chandrasekhar.