Spectrum dues: RJio shells out ₹1,053 cr, Airtel ₹1,950 cr, Vodafone ₹3,043 cr

Bharti Airtel has made a payment of ₹1,950 crore to the Telecom Department towards its deferred spectrum dues, while Reliance Jio has paid ₹1,053 crore, sources said on Tuesday.

Deferred spectrum dues are essentially instalments that are paid by telcos for airwaves bought in past auctions and are separate from their AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) liabilities.

Vodafone Idea, too, paid about ₹3,043 crore towards deferred spectrum dues, according to the sources. VIL’s payment, in particular, assumes significance as the company has been under tremendous financial pressure and is confronted with AGR liabilities of over ₹53,000 crore.