Spectrum auctions, high payments to help hit Rs 1.2 trn telco revenue goal

Another round of spectrum auction, along with higher incidence of payments by telecom operators has led to a 28.5 per cent higher estimate of Rs 1.2 trillion worth of non-tax revenue from the telecom sector in FY25 (2024-25).

Under the telecom head, the Interim Budget has listed non-tax revenue collection estimates of Rs 93,541 crore in the Revised Estimates of FY24. As compared to this, revenue rose by 44 per cent in FY24, considering the Rs 64,835 crore received by the Centre in FY23. The next spectrum auction will be held in late February and the reserve price for most bands will remain the same as during the 2022 auction, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) officials said.