<p>Telecom stocks today fell up to 4 per cent after an Empowered Group of Ministers recommended a one-time fee on existing operators for spectrum they hold beyond 4.4 MHz.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Idea Cellular plunged 4 per cent to Rs 81.40, while Bharti Airtel was down 1.62 per cent. Reliance Communications lost 1.34 per cent.<br /><br />Operators wishing not to pay the additional fee would be allowed to relinquish the excess spectrum beyond 4.4 MHz. The one-time fee would be imposed from the day the Cabinet takes a decision on the matter.<br /><br />"The move will negatively impact incumbent players that are not hit by a Supreme Court order to revoke permits in a scandal-tainted 2008 sale and are not required to bid in the auction," Angel Broking said in a report.<br /><br />The Supreme Court in February had cancelled 122 licences granted during former Telecom Minister A Raja's regime.<br /><br />In the broader market, the Sensex was trading at 18,882.85, up 173.87 points at 1135 hrs.</p>
<p>Telecom stocks today fell up to 4 per cent after an Empowered Group of Ministers recommended a one-time fee on existing operators for spectrum they hold beyond 4.4 MHz.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Idea Cellular plunged 4 per cent to Rs 81.40, while Bharti Airtel was down 1.62 per cent. Reliance Communications lost 1.34 per cent.<br /><br />Operators wishing not to pay the additional fee would be allowed to relinquish the excess spectrum beyond 4.4 MHz. The one-time fee would be imposed from the day the Cabinet takes a decision on the matter.<br /><br />"The move will negatively impact incumbent players that are not hit by a Supreme Court order to revoke permits in a scandal-tainted 2008 sale and are not required to bid in the auction," Angel Broking said in a report.<br /><br />The Supreme Court in February had cancelled 122 licences granted during former Telecom Minister A Raja's regime.<br /><br />In the broader market, the Sensex was trading at 18,882.85, up 173.87 points at 1135 hrs.</p>