Airtel to challenge DoT demand of Rs 8.2k cr guarantee for Tata Tele deal

Mumbai: Bharti Airtel will soon move the appellate tribunal, challenging the telecom department’s demand of Rs 8,200 crore in bank guarantees as a condition for giving its final nod to the merger of the consumer mobility business of Tata Teleservices with itself. “Airtel will appeal in the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against the demand of bank guarantees of about Rs 8,200 crore from the government, which are for one-time spectrum charges (OTSC),” said a person familiar with the development. “There is another Rs 800 crore worth of deferred spectrum charges that has been demanded, which the operator will pay.” Airtel declined to comment.