The Silicon Review ^Asia

The apex court of the country has a big decision to make on the telecom companies, which are seeking more time to pay their statutory dues.

Vodafone Idea has to pay a total due of INR 53,000 crores, which comprises its licensing fees, spectrum usage charges, interest and penalties. Also, the company is supposed to pay the bulk amount in one go. Vodafone Idea has said that if the appeal fails in the Supreme Court, they will shut shops. Bharti Airtel, on the other hand, has to pay INR 35,000 crores as AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue) dues.

Experts suggest that if the Supreme Court’s verdict is not in the favor of the telecom companies, then the focus on market acquisition will reduce, which will directly impact the many thousands of distributors across the country. The distributor community had just started recovering after the 2016 price war reduced the market to just three private telecom companies. Many distributors in the country are worried about the Supreme Court verdict and have already started venturing out into other businesses besidesthe telecom industry. But for many distributors it will be a real challenge to shift to other businesses as their association with the telecom company had been for a very long time.