**Vodafone Idea’s AGR Relief Unlikely, Says Telecom Minister**
The telecom department has no plans to offer relief to Vodafone Idea regarding its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) obligations, according to Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani. Speaking on Monday, Pemmasani stated, “We have recently converted a lot of their debt into equity. The government has done whatever we thought we could do. At this time, we do not have any discussion or plan to change anything other than what we have done.”
The government became the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea after acquiring shares worth ₹36,950 crore in exchange for outstanding spectrum auction dues in March. This followed an earlier acquisition of approximately 33 percent stake in 2023, which was in lieu of statutory dues exceeding ₹16,000 crore. Vodafone Idea has indicated in an affidavit to the Supreme Court that it cannot survive without government support, with its AGR liability reaching around ₹75,000 crore by the end of the June 2025 quarter.
Vodafone Idea, along with other telecom operators such as Bharti Airtel, BSNL, and MTNL, has contested the Department of Telecom’s definition of AGR. After years of legal battles, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the DoT in October 2019, mandating that telecom companies settle their dues as claimed by the government. Vodafone Idea is required to pay its AGR liability in six equal installments following a moratorium period, starting from March 31, 2026.
In a related matter, when questioned about the status of spectrum allocation for satellite communication services by companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, the minister noted that discussions on pricing are ongoing. Spectrum allocation will occur once pricing is finalized. He emphasized that satellite communication providers will not be permitted to host data of Indian users outside the country or offer services abroad using domestic gateways.
**FAQ**
**Q: What is Vodafone Idea’s current AGR liability?**
A: Vodafone Idea’s AGR liability is approximately ₹75,000 crore as of the end of the June 2025 quarter.
