(a) whether the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been asked to consult the Ministry
of Finance on future decisions regarding reduction in licence fee;
(b) if so, the details in this regard;
(c) whether the Government also proposes to reduce the licence fee of existing telecom
operators while reducing licence fee in future; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been asked by the Ministry of Finance
that DoT should, in future, take a holistic view of the various changes such as License Fee, Entry Fee, Spectrum
Charges etc. and should evolve a transparent and stable regime in consultation with Ministry of Finance.
(c) & (d) Associations of Telecom Service Providers have given representations for reducing the License
Fee to a uniform rate of 6% of Adjusted Gross Revenue. This proposal is under examination of the Government.
This being a policy matter, no time limit can be fixed for implementing the same.