Reliance Jio has paid Rs 10,792 crore to the Department of Telecomm­un­ications (DoT) for 269.2 MHz of the spectrum it acquired in 2016. While Jio had made upfront payments, it has dues of Rs 15,000-16,000 crore towards the range it received in 2014 and 2015. Jio will have to in­form the DoT by Friday whe­ther it wants a moratorium for the balance payments.

Bharti Airtel has already decided to opt for a four-year moratorium on the spectrum and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues payable to the government. Vodafone has also decided to opt for a suspension on spectrum dues and communicate its stance on AGR dues.

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Jio had acquired a significant amount of airwaves in 800 MHz and 1800 MHz bands in 2015. It had purchased spectrum in 1800 MHz band in the previous year, which enabled it to pan-Indian services in 2016. A deferral in the scope and AGR dues will allow the telcos to deploy revenue for network improvements and new technologies. The DoT has given 90 days time to the companies to consider the option of converting the interest that will accrue during the moratorium period into equity.