With inter-ministerial body, Telecom Commission (TC), approving a provision which allows companies holding internet services licences to provide phone call services by paying an additional fee of `1,658 crore, companies like Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJI), Augere and Tikona Digital could jump into the fray.

"The Commission broadly endorsed recommendation of DoT committee with regard to Unified licensing regime...The ISP (internet service provider) licence holder who hold BWA spectrum if they wish to provide using that spectrum then an additional fee of `1,658 crore will be levied for migration to Unified licences (Ul)," TC Chairman and Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar said. The framework for new licences will be ready by end of this financial year, he added.

In 2010, six private players - RJI (formerly Infotel Broadband), Bharti Airtel, Aircel, Qualcomm, Tikona Digital and Augere had won BWA spectrum.

The licence issued to mobile telephony operators for `1,658 crore had 4.4 Mhz spectrum bundled with it but government has announced providing no spectrum with Ul. The current value of the quantum of spectrum allocated under old licences has increased around seven times.

 "Ul does not include any spectrum. Grant of Ul including migration to Ul does not include any spectrum," Chandrashekhar said. The TC, however, deferred decision on bringing telecom tower companies, called IP-1, under licences. A DoT committee had recommended bringing IP-1 companies under licence regime and telecom regulator TRAI had recommended a charge of 8 per cent licence fee to IP-1 companies once they are brought under licences.

 The TC also endorsed around `3,000 crore support for mobile services in left wing extremist affected areas through Universal Service Obligation Fund for a period of 5 years.     "This proposal will have to be finally approved by Cabinet," Chandrashekhar added.