Telecom players who brought spectrum in the auction last month need to start paying by July 26, the department of telecommunication (DoT) has said.

The payments must be lump sum or in 20 equal annual instalments.

In the recent auction, the government sold 141 MHz of spectrum, generating ₹11,340.8 crore.

The DoT has provided two payment options: the first allows companies to make the full payment or a partial upfront payment for at least two years.

They will benefit from a moratorium corresponding to the upfront payment period.

The remaining balance will be paid in equal installments over the remaining term, maintaining the net present value of the bid amount at the applicable interest rate.

The second option involves paying the bid amount in 20 equal annual instalments, also maintaining NPV at the applicable interest rate.

They must also pay the applicable GST on the demands issued by the DoT.

If operators choose the 20-year instalment plan, Airtel’s annual payment will be ₹674.18 crore.

Vodafone Idea will pay ₹345.15 crore annually, and Jio will incur an annual cost of approximately ₹96 crore, according to DoT demand notices.

Spectrum allocation will occur within 30 days after the first instalment or full payment is made, depending on the chosen payment option.