Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 1: Vodafone Idea (Vi) has received a notice from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking payment of Rs 26.83 crore as liquidated damages for the alleged non-compliance with minimum rollout obligations linked to spectrum acquired in the 2022 auction.

In a regulatory filing, the telecom operator said the notice, received on July 31, relates to rollout commitments prescribed under the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for the 2022 spectrum auction.

According to the DoT, Vodafone Idea failed to meet the stipulated minimum rollout obligations associated with the spectrum allocated through the auction process, prompting the demand for liquidated damages.

The company said it is reviewing the notice and evaluating the appropriate course of action.

"The company is reviewing the notice and evaluating the next steps in this matter," Vodafone Idea said in its stock exchange filing.

The telecom operator, however, clarified that the notice is not expected to have any financial or operational impact on its business at this stage.

The alleged violation pertains to network rollout requirements that telecom operators are mandated to fulfil after spectrum is assigned under auction guidelines.

Vodafone Idea did not disclose the telecom circles or spectrum bands covered under the notice.

Shares of Vodafone Idea closed about 1 per cent higher at around Rs 13 on the BSE on Friday.

The stock has touched a 52-week high of Rs 15.35 and a 52-week low of Rs 6.12. It has declined more than 10 per cent over the past month, underperforming the benchmark Sensex, which gained 2.1 per cent during the same period.