Telcos paid Rs 300-crore fine: DoT

NEW DELHI: Indian telcos have paid more than 300 crore to the government that penalised service providers for not meeting network rollout obligations within a year of getting mobile permits. Department of telecoms secretary R Chandrasekhar said on Wednesday that telcos had paid 300.04 crore till last week.

Last month, the government had issued 119 notices to new mobile operators claiming a total of 370.55 crore to be paid within 15 days. The new telcos were to establish services in 90% of metro areas and 10% of district headquarters within 12 months from the day of getting mobile permits.

If telecom operators fail to meet these terms and conditions, the government could levy heavy penalties and even cancel the mobile permits. Some operators challenged the penalties in India's telecom tribunal asking for relief. Subsequently, Uninor, Dishnet Wireless (now Aircel) and Videocon Telecom paid part of the penalty imposed.