It is reported by PTI that the additional spectrum with the old telecom companies may be charged a one-time fee. One of the recommendations was that the spectrum already allotted from 4.4 to 6.2 MHz and from 2.5 to 5 MHz in GSM and CDMA bands, respectively, may be charged prospectively.

Spectrum already allotted beyond 6.2 MHz/5 MHz in GSM/ CDMA bands may be charged prospectively, it added.

Earlier, the government was looking at charging a one-time fee for the extra spectrum beyond the contracted limit of 6.2 MHz from the date of allocation. This would have put a huge financial burden on the old GSM operators.

Leading telecom operators, including Bharti, Vodafone and Idea, have been opposing this saying there was no such clause in the telecom licences under which this type of levy can be imposed.

Moreover, the operators have claimed that allotment of spectrum to them was as per the policy of the day.

The one-time fee was recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the amount was computed by experts, the presentation said.

The regulator had recommended that each MHz of additional spectrum, after the 6.2 MHz limit held by operators should cost a one-time Rs 4,571.87 crore (all-India).