New Delhi: The Finance Ministry has suggested a new pricing formula for spectrum allocation for existing and new operators.
A spectrum price of Rs 1,312 crore per mega hertz would be applicable with retrospect effect.
Startup spectrum would cost Rs 5,772 crore for new operators like Unitech. The existing players who do not wish to pay the charges would be asked to surrender spectrum.
The move - still in the discussion stage - has already invited sharp criticism from both new and existing operators as it will add to their infrastructure costs.
IANS reports: The new pricing methodology recommended by the ministry wants new operators such as Datacom and Unitech to pay Rs.58 bn for getting start-up spectrum, officials said.
The proposal also calls for a price tag of Rs.13.12 billion per MHz band.
The proposal, which has the sanction of Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, also wants the new price to take retrospective effect, according to officials.
It also suggests that existing operators such as Airtel and Idea should pay for the spectrum that is not being used or surrender the frequencies to the government.
Officials indicated that the matter would be taken up with the Finance Ministry.
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