DoT pares telecom revenue estimate by 70% to Rs 40,000 cr

The government expects to net around Rs 40,000 crore from telecom sector this fiscal, less than a third of the budget estimate of Rs 1.33 lakh crore, mainly due to the absence of 5G airwaves in next auctions and limited payments towards past AGR dues.

In the absence of premium 5G airwaves from the upcoming March sale and likely limited appetite, the telecommunications department (DoT) expects a maximum of around Rs 10,000 crore as upfront payments this fiscal, which signals overall proceeds of around Rs 40,000 crore under the communications head, said government officials familiar with the matter.