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हिन्दी — Read in HindiTelecom networks, spectrum and internet infrastructure
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Foundation note: The Telecommunications Act, 2023 and how spectrum is assigned
Showing 1 of 2 articles, those that changed from 1 to 30 June 2026.Show all
The one time spectrum charge
Copy link to The one time spectrum chargePrelims and Mains
Spectrum is a public asset of the Union, divided into frequency bands and assigned by the Department of Telecommunications through auctions.
- Under the National Telecom Policy of 1994 operators paid fixed licence fees; the 1999 policy moved them to revenue sharing.
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended a one time charge on holdings above 6.2 MHz in 2010.
- After the 2012 2G judgment the Cabinet approved the charge in November 2012, retrospective from July 2008.
What changed
9 Jun 2026BriefThe Bombay High Court quashed the Centre's one time spectrum charge demands on Airtel and Vodafone Idea, holding the government cannot retrospectively change licence financial terms. The wider dispute remains before the Supreme Court. Mains: Obligations on operators must rest on licence terms and established policy, which improves regulatory certainty. The Indian Express, 9 Jun 2026: Big win for Airtel, Vodafone Idea: The case of retrospective spectrum charge, which Bombay HC quashed (opens in a new tab)