Govt targets Rs 45,471 cr from communication services

The government has set a revenue target of Rs 45,471 crore from communication services in the current financial year.

"Revenue target for BE 2014-15 under 1275-other communication service is Rs 45,471 crore (Rs 454 billion)," Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

In a separate query, he said revenue receipt, from spectrum auction in 800, 900 and 1800 MHz bands, budgeted during 2014-15 is Rs 9,355 crore or Rs 93.55 billion.

"As per the result framework document (RFD) of the Department of Telecommunications, the spectrum auction is scheduled to be completed by March 2015," Prasad said.

The minister added total revenue from sale of spectrum in last three years stood at Rs 74,209.34 crore or Rs 742 billion.

On a query about mobile charges, Prasad said as per the present tariff framework in the country, the tariffs for wireless access services, except for national roaming service, are under forbearance.

"The telecom service providers have the flexibility to determine tariffs based on the level of competition and other commercial considerations," the minister added.