Following the termination, the concerned spectrum assignments have been withdrawn or reverted to the Central Government, and Reliance Communications and Reliance Telecom Ltd no longer have the right to use the spectrum.
The DoT communications were dated October 5, 2026, and were issued after considering the response submitted by the RCOM Group of Companies on August 7, 2026, to notices issued by the department on July 8, 2026.
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The department said RCOM and RTL failed to comply with the applicable terms and conditions of the respective Notices Inviting Applications (NIAs), including payment obligations relating to deferred spectrum instalments and other spectrum-related charges.
For spectrum acquired through the respective auctions, DoT also said the companies failed to meet prescribed roll-out obligations and defaulted on payment of spectrum usage charges and liquidated damages.
Impact On Resolution Plans
RCOM said the termination will have an impact on the company, including its resolution plan, as the plan provides for the sale of the right to use spectrum as an asset of the company. The application for approval of RCOM’s resolution plan is sub judice before the NCLT, Mumbai Bench.
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Similarly, the termination will affect RTL and its resolution plan, which also provides for the sale of the right to use spectrum as an asset. The application for approval of RTL’s resolution plan is also sub judice before the NCLT, Mumbai Bench.
RCOM said the further financial and operational implications of the order are being examined. The company is evaluating the implications of the communications and will take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable laws.
2010 Spectrum Auction
In its October 5 communication, DoT said the spectrum assigned to RCOM and RTL pursuant to the 2010 auction was subject to the terms and conditions of the NIA dated February 25, 2010, including roll-out obligations and payment of applicable spectrum-related charges.
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The department said the RCOM Group had failed to comply with the roll-out obligations under Section 3.4 of the 2010 NIA and had defaulted on payment of spectrum usage charges, liquidated damages and other charges levied by DoT.
DoT said its July 8 notice had asked the RCOM Group to clear the entire outstanding dues and respond to why the spectrum assignments should not be terminated and the spectrum withdrawn or reverted to the Central Government.