Spectrum, licence fetch Rs 9,500 cr

The rapid growth in wireless services has resulted in buoyant revenues for the government, with the exchequer realising about Rs 9,500 crore in the form of licence fee and spectrum charges in 2006-07.

According to an analysis by telecom regulator Trai, about Rs 2,090 crore were collected as spectrum charges from the operators, while licence fee payment was Rs 6,360 crore.

Realisation from spectrum charges is steadily going up. The analysis shows, it was Rs 1,028 crore in 2004-05 and Rs 1,367 crore in 2005-06. Licence fee, which is paid as a percentage of adjusted gross revenue, increased from Rs 5,695 crore in 2005-06.

However, the regulator expressed its dissatisfaction over spectrum management. "Even today, it is tied to the legacy and the traditional approach of spectrum management. It is not predictable," Trai said.