Tata group firms- Tata Teleservices (TTSL) and Tata Teleservices Maharastra (TTML) -- today challenged the hike in spectrum usage charge in the Supreme Court.
The two companies challenged the order of the sectoral tribunal TDSAT, which has declined to stay Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) hike in the spectrum charge.
Admitting the plea, a three-judges bench headed by the Chief Justice S H Kapadia directed the two firms to deposit 50% of the increased spectrum usage charge demanded by the DoT and to submit a bank guarantee for the rest within a week.
The apex court also issued notice to the DoT and directed it to file a reply.
Besides, the bench directed to tag Tata group firms' appeal with the other telecom operators -- Reliance Communications (RCom), Reliance Telecom, Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, Bharti Hexacom (operating in Rajasthan), Idea Cellular and Uninor.
The operators are challenging DoT's decision to increase the usage charges 3-8% of adjusted gross revenue, depending on quantum of spectrum held by an operator.
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Earlier, on January 31, the apex court had directed two Anil Ambani group firms RCom and Reliance Telecom to deposit 50% of the increased spectrum usage charge demanded by DoT and to submit a bank guarantee for the rest within two weeks.
The DoT had asked the two ADAG firms to deposit Rs 94 crore for the spectrum charges as per the new rules.
On October 22, the Supreme Court had stayed the TDSAT order upholding a hike in 2G telecom spectrum usage charges, but had asked Bharti, Vodafone and Idea to deposit with it 50% of the proposed increase in fee with the court's registry.