Trai likely to cut backhaul spectrum fee by 50% to ease telcos’ cost burden

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is likely to slash backhaul spectrum pricing by as much as 50%, according to people familiar with the matter, a move that would ease the financial burden of telecom operators and allow them to save a few hundred crores annually. Telcos currently pay 0.15-3.95% of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as charges for utilising backhaul airwaves. The rate varies depending on the number of backhaul carriers used.