Financial support to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited on surrender of Broadband Wireless Access spectrum with refund of upfront charges

The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for financial support to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) on surrender of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum by them. Upfront charges paid for such spectrum would be refunded. 

The objective of this decision is to provide financial support to the extent of one-time upfront charges paid for BWA spectrum for six service areas of BSNL and both service areas of MTNL on surrender of the spectrum. 

The six Licensed Service Areas of BSNL are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kolkata. 

The amount to be refunded to BSNL is Rs. 6724.51 crore and Rs.4533.97 crore for MTNL. 

The refund will be made to ensure support for the revival and revitalisation of BSNL and MTNL in the competitive telecom sector. It shall also help these PSUs to arrange finances to meet basic financial commitments such as operation and maintenance of their telecom network.