Cabinet likely to take up telecom relief package today; cuts in SUC, licence fee

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday is likely to take up for discussions and approval a relief package for the telecom sector, sources in know of the development told The Indian Express.

Among the relief measures being discussed, there is the likelihood that a reduction in the spectrum usage charges (SUC) and licence fees could be cleared. Currently, telecom service providers pay around 3-5 per cent of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as SUC, while they pay around 8 per cent of the AGR as licence fee.

“There is some scope in the SUC being reduced to 3 per cent flat, and the licence fee being halved. It is under consideration,” a government official said.