Vi writes to telecom department, wants to defer payment of Q2-Q4 dues

Cash-strapped Vodafone Idea has informed the telecom department that it won’t be able to pay quarterly licence fees (LF) and spectrum usage charges (SUC) for the second, third and fourth quarters of this fiscal year totalling about ₹6,000 crore. It has sought permission to pay all these dues together, including interest, in April-May 2022.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is yet to take a call on the written request, especially after all the relief measures that have been provided by the government to the sector, people familiar with the matter said.

“Vi has informed the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) that it will make payments of LF and SUC for three quarters, together in April-May and if there are penalties imposed,