Telecom Commission proposes 3 per cent SUC for upcoming spectrum auction

The Telecom Commission has proposed a 3 per cent spectrum usage charge (SUC) for the upcoming spectrum auction, scheduled for July 2016. The commission has also proposed a new weighted average method to calculate the SUC which suggests including a user fee of 1 per cent for the broadband wireless access spectrum bought in the 2010 auctions, multiple SUC rates applicable as per each of the previous auctions, and a fee on non-auctioned spectrum as well as on spectrum that will be acquired in the future. However, the commission has proposed that operators will have to at least match the payments made by them in 2015-16, in order to prevent revenue loss to the government. The proposals will now be considered by the cabinet for final approval.