Telcos stare at penalties of Rs 50 crore per violation

Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Vodafone Idea are staring at potential penalties of about Rs. 50 crore per violation for failing to meet their minimum network rollout obligations amid the nationwide lockdown as the telecom department has not extended the compliance timelines beyond May 31. The telcos have asked the Department of Telecommunications for a six-to-nine- month extension to complete their rollout targets. The compliance timelines are linked to the spectrum band assigned to them and the date of allocation.

The operators said network equipment imports have been severely hit by global lockdowns imposed after the Covid-19 outbreak. Besides, there have been difficulties in completing tower site acquisitions, drive tests and securing multiple approvals from state authorities and municipal bodies.

—Business Journal