Executive Summary:
This document presents the Ministry of Communication's response to questions regarding the revenue trends of telecom operators, challenges identified by the Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA), corrective measures, and compliance plans. It highlights the revenue growth in the telecom sector over the past five fiscal years, clarifies that the CCA has not revealed any specific challenges, and outlines measures undertaken to ensure better collection efficiency and compliance. The document references data up to FY 2024-25.
Key Points / Main Content:
Revenue Trends of Telecom Operators:
* The telecom sector's gross revenue has grown from ₹2.73 lakh crore in FY 2020-21 to ₹3.79 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, with a CAGR of approximately 8.5%.
* The revenue data for major telecom operators (Bharti Group, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, Vodafone Idea Limited, Tata Group, and BSNL) for the past five fiscal years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25) is provided.
CCA Challenges and Corrective Measures:
* The Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA) has not revealed any specific challenge with respect to the revenue of telecom operators.
* The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in coordination with CCA offices, has undertaken measures to ensure better collection efficiency and compliance:
* Prescribed timelines for annual assessments with close monitoring for adherence.
* CCA offices are directed to monitor violations of financial conditions of licenses and report them in a timely manner.
* Implementation of digital platforms like SARAS Portal for transparent and automated assessments and payments.
* Issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for deduction verification and timely assessments.
* Quarterly outreach programs organized by CCA offices with licensees to enhance awareness, resolve issues, and strengthen compliance.
* Establishment of dedicated Telecom Facilitation Centres within CCA offices to provide operational support.
* Operational centralized helpdesk to address technical and procedural queries related to SARAS.
Impact Analysis:
Telecom Operators:
* Impact: Subject to revenue assessment and compliance monitoring; need to adhere to timelines for assessments and ensure compliance with license conditions.
* Action Required: Participate in quarterly outreach programs, utilize Telecom Facilitation Centers for support, and use the centralized helpdesk for SARAS-related queries.
Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA) Offices:
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring license violations, conducting timely assessments, and coordinating with DoT for compliance.
* Action Required: Adhere to prescribed timelines for annual assessments, monitor financial conditions of licenses, and organize quarterly outreach programs.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT):
* Impact: Oversees compliance, monitors CCA office activities, and ensures the effectiveness of digital platforms and support mechanisms.
* Action Required: Closely monitor adherence to assessment timelines and regularly review reports on license violations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for telecommunications and postal services.
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecom policy, licensing, and regulation in India.
Controller of Communication Accounts: An office responsible for ensuring better collection, efficiency and compliance in the telecom sector.
Bharti Group: A major telecom operator in India.
Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.: A major telecom operator in India.
Vodafone Idea Limited: A telecom operator in India.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL): A government-owned telecommunications service provider in India.
SARAS Portal System for Assessment of License Fee Revenue And Spectrum Usage Charges: Digital platform implemented for transparent and automated assessments and payments.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1730
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
REVENUE TREND FOR TELECOM OPERATORS
†1730. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the latest revenue trend for the telecom operators;
(b) whether the Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA) has revealed any specific
challenges;
(c) if so, the details of the proposed corrective measures; and
(d) the follow-up plan made or time-line fixed by CCA to ensure better collection, efficiency
and compliance in the northern region?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) The revenue trend for telecom operators over the past five years is as below:
Gross Revenue of Telecom Operators over last 5 years (In ₹ Cr.)
S. Telecom FY 2024-
FY 2020-21 FY 2021- 22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24
No. Operators 25
1 Bharti Group 91,786 97,261 1,13,061 1,18,650 1,33,113
Reliance Jio
2 80,186 83,719 98,377 1,08,520 1,23,924
Infocomm Ltd.
Vodafone Idea
3 62,944 55,232 58,959 59,269 60,537
Limited
Tata Group
4 (TTSL and 3,025 2,994 3,240 3,608 3,977
TTML)
5 BSNL 17,467 18,874 37,432 22,028 23,424
Subtotal
2,55,408 2,58,080 3,11,069 3,12,075
6 (1 to 5) 3,44,975
Others
7 18,050 20,103 32,766 35,721 33,889
licensees*
Grand Total
2,73,458 2,78,183 3,43,835 3,47,796 3,78,864
(6 & 7)
1*Other licensees include the telecom licensee (other than listed at S No 1 to 5) and are
primarily having licenses such as Internet Service Provider (ISP) license, National Long Distance
(NLD) license, International Long Distance (ILD) license and Virtual Network Operator (VNO)
license and other licenses/authorizations granted by the Department of Telecommunications.
The telecom sector revenue has grown significantly from ₹2.73 lakh crore in FY 2020-21 to
₹3.79 lakh crore in FY 2024-25 with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately
8.5%.
(b) & (c) No, Sir. The Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA) has not revealed any
specific challenge with respect to the revenue of telecom operators.
(d) To ensure better collection efficiency and compliance, Department, in coordination with the
CCA offices, has undertaken the following measures:
i. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has prescribed timelines for the
completion of annual assessments to ensure timely issuance of demands to the licensees.
Adherence to these timelines is closely monitored to ensure timely issuance of demands.
ii. CCA offices have also been directed to monitor violations of the financial conditions of
licenses and report them in a timely manner. These are reviewed regularly by the
department as part of compliance.
iii. Digital platforms like SARAS Portal (System for Assessment of License Fee Revenue
And Spectrum Usage Charges) has been implemented for transparent and automated
assessments and payments.
iv. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been issued for deduction verification and
timely assessments.
v. Quarterly outreach programmes are organized by CCA offices with licensees to enhance
awareness, resolve issues, and strengthen compliance.
vi. Dedicated Telecom Facilitation Centres have been established within CCA offices to
provide handholding and operational support, especially to small and regional licensees.
vii. A centralized helpdesk is operational to address technical and procedural queries related
to SARAS, thereby improving user experience and compliance.
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