Telcos hail moratorium on spectrum dues, say move will resurrect the sector

Industry body COAI, whose members include Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio, on Wednesday said various steps including a two-year moratorium for spectrum dues to telcos will provide a relief to the debt-laden sector.

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) DG Rajan Mathews said that proposed tariff hikes in mobile call and data rates will partially help in reducing the stress.

“The combination of three things — 2-year moratorium for spectrum payments, proposal to increase in tariff and modifying adjusted gross revenue will help resurrect the telecom sector,” Mathews said.