The booming telecom sector has fetched Rs 3,015 crore (Rs 30.15 billion) revenues to the government from spectrum fees in 2007-08.
Revenue collections relating to spectrum charges is Rs 3,015 crore in 2007-08 while it was Rs 2090 crore (Rs 20.9 billion) in 2006-07, Minister of State for IT and Communications Jyotirditya Scindia told Lok Sabha in a written reply.
The sector has now 134 private licensees offering mobile services with a user base of 20.84 crore (Rs 208.4 million) till February 2008 with a total investment of Rs 95,000 crore (Rs 950 billion).
Besides 120 new private licensees are yet to commence operations, said the minister.
Government has already issued 126 Letter of Intents for grant of telecom licenses to 17 operators who have applied up t
o September 25, out of which 120 licenses have been awarded to 16 operators, he said adding 14
operators from this have applied for initial GSM spectrum.
The sector has received a total FDI of Rs 16,691 crore (Rs 166.91 billion) from August 1991 to March 2007, whereas the total FDI received in the country during the same period Rs 2,32,041 crore (Rs 2,320.41 billion) constituting 7.19 per cent of the total foreign direct investment, Scindia said.
During the last three years, 143 licenses have been granted to 20 companies in 22 circles, out of which 120 licenses were issued early this year, he said.