DoT notice to Vodafone Idea over non-payment of licence fee for Q4

The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) has issued show-cause notice to Vodafone Idea (Vi) for non-payment of licence fee and spectrum dues for the last quarter of FY21.

The telco has not paid fees for seven circles — Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh (East), and Odisha — which was due on March 25.

The DoT has directed Vi to show cause by April 12, 2021, why action should not be taken against the company under relevant clauses of licence agreement.

Licence fee is payable in four quarterly instalments during each financial year. Quarterly instalment of licence fee for the first three quarters of a financial year are payable within 15 days of the completion of the relevant quarter.