Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) State-run telecom firms Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Thursday said they have not sought any concessions from the government on payments they have to make for third generation (3G) spectrum.
BSNL and MTNL have already been issued airwaves for 3G services and they will have to pay the government spectrum fee based on the winner’s price for the circles where these companies operate.

“We have not sought any concessions and we are not seeking any. There are pressures on revenues, which we are trying to improve. We know we have to pay winning prices for Mumbai and Delhi. But we are not looking for exemptions. If needed, we will discuss things, but as of now we are looking at improving margins by increasing our customer base,” MTNL chairman and managing director Kuldip Singh told IANS.

While MTNL will have to shell out Rs.6,564 crore for Delhi and Mumbai, BSNL will have to pay the government Rs.10,186.6 crore for the rest of the circles.

BSNL chairman Kuldeep Goyal said: “We have enough reserves to pay for 3G spectrum. We have not sought any exemption from the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) to pay for 3G licence spectrum fee. We don’t need to seek such an exemption.”