The government on Thursday rejected the offers of mobile operators Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular to pay money for additional spectrum, saying the companies cannot submit the amount unless it was asked for.
“How can you offer the money when there is no order?” Communications Minister A Raja told reporters when asked about the proposals by GSM-based mobile players Bharti Airtel and Idea for paying money to get additional airwaves. Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel had offered to pay Rs 2,650 crore as “initial bid”, while rival GSM service provider Idea had proposed to submit Rs 1,651 crore for getting the frequency.