TDSAT stays DoT's one-time spectrum fee demand on Vodafone

Telecom tribunal TDSAT today stayed the DoT order that directed Vodafone to pay Rs 3,599 crore as one-time spectrum fee till its next hearing on February 25.

Passing an interim order, a single-member bench of TDSAT stayed the DoT demand and said there would be "no coercive action" against the company.

Vodafone is opposing Department of Telecom's (DoT) move to levy one time charge on spectrum allocated to it beyond the initial allocation of 4.4 Mhz.

The DoT had asked Vodafone to pay Rs 3,599 crore and its first instalment, of around Rs 2,093 crore, was to be paid by January 28.

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) asked DoT to file its reply over Vodafone's plea within two weeks.

The tribunal gave Vodafone one-week time to file rejoinder over DoT's reply. Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhiok represented DoT, while Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi was from the Vodafone side in this matter.