Telecom operator Vodafone Idea has approached the Indian government for additional financial assistance as it struggles to repay its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and spectrum dues, according to a report by NDTV Profit.
In a letter sent to Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal on March 11, the company has requested the government to convert a larger portion of its dues into equity. If this proposal is approved, the government’s stake in Vodafone Idea could increase from the current 22.6% to 49%, sources told NDTV Profit.
Vodafone Idea is seeking a relief of ₹36,950 crore for AGR and spectrum charges, with a payment of ₹13,089 crore within a few weeks. The company has stated that it is not able to pay these figures and has sought assistance through the 2021 Telecom Relief Package.
So far, there has been no waiver on telecom players’ AGR dues from the government. If Vodafone Idea’s request is granted, estimates indicate that it would reduce its AGR burden by up to 75% and its overall debt burden by up to 25%, providing a relief of ₹52,000 crore. It would also raise Vodafone Idea’s equity value by ₹7 per share, as per earlier estimates.
Earlier, Vodafone Idea had challenged the computation of AGR dues at the Supreme Court through a curative plea filed in July 2024, asserting that non-core revenue cannot be used for computation of AGR. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the plea in September 2024, which dealt a severe legal setback for the telecom operator.
The response of the government to Vodafone Idea’s latest plea will determine the financial fate of the telecom operator, which continues to vie for business in a highly competitive space dominated by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
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Source: Moneycontrol.
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