DoT penalizes Idea, Spice of Rs.27.65cr

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked Idea Cellular and Spice Communications to pay total penalty of Rs 27.65 crore by the second week of next month for delay in the roll out of services in five circles.

Idea Cellular has been served notice for missing the roll out obligation in Karnataka and Punjab service areas, whereas Spice Communications has been served notice for Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra circle. In the notice, Idea and Spice have been asked to pay Rs 7 crore each for delay of over 52 weeks in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh circles.

For Punjab circle, Idea has been asked to pay Rs 4.55 crore liquidated damages for delay of 39 weeks in meeting roll out obligation. Spice Communications has been asked to pay similar amount for 39 week delay in Haryana and Maharashtra circles.
The notice was issued on April 21 and both the companies have been asked to pay the liquidated damages within 15 days from the issuance of the notice.