The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India seeking extension of telecom licences till after the second round of spectrum auctions.

Telecom operators stand to lose their existing licences after 18th of January.

However, the DoT is going to provide only a partial relief to telecom operators whose licences are expiring on 18th of this month because the department has also suggested that operators would be charged for spectrum from January 19.

The operators will be charged the price discovered for spectrum in the planned auction or the reserve price, whichever is higher.

The DoT affidavit suggested, "Hon'ble Court may impose a condition that such operators will be liable to pay for the spectrum allotted to them, the price discovered for such spectrum in the proposed auction or the reserve price, whichever is higher."

The apex court had cancelled a total of 122 telecom licences issued during the term of ex telecom minister A Raja, due to irregularities in the issuing of the licences.

In case the Supreme Court declines to extend the licences, the government may issue temporary licences to avoid disruption of services and also to safeguard public revenue.