SC exempting telecom operators to pay licence fee

Telecom Tiger Correspondent reports that the Supreme Court (SC) has passed an interim order exempting telecom operators to pay licence fees taking into account revenues from non-telecom services as well. The order is pending a final decision by the court. The background to this is a petition which was filed in 2003 by two telecom industry associations AUSPI and COAI, in the TDSAT wherein the TDSAT held that the levy on a licence fee on operator’s telecom as well as non-telecom revenues by the DOT was illegal. Subsequently the DOT in 2006–7 went in appeal to the Supreme Court from where interim orders have been continuing.