Government may announce relief package for telecom firms as early as mid-April

NEW DELHI: The government is likely to announce a relief package for telecom companies as early as mid-April, which may, among other things, include an extension of the timeframe to pay dues on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) that the firms owe the government, two people aware of the development told Mint on condition of anonymity.

“The contents of the package are being discussed at the highest levels. Some possible interventions could include a plan for staggered payments of AGR dues. The package will take a comprehensive view of the sector keeping in mind the ambitious roll out of 5G,” one of the persons said, adding that a mechanism for providing cheap debt capital through a special purpose vehicle for enabling 5G auctions is also being discussed.

The government may also review the base price for the spectrum going forward, the two persons said.