AGR issue: Survival of internet firms under threat, duopoly not good for market, says ISPAI

NEW DELHI: Internet service providers on Thursday exhorted the government to step in immediately to review the definition of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) for the survival of the telecom sector as the Supreme Court dismissed a plea by telcos seeking review of its verdict on the recovery of Rs 1.47 lakh crore.

“It is going to be a disaster for the telecom industry. Dismissal of review petition will lead to a duopoly situation which is not good for consumers. Small ISPs will not be able to survive unless government steps in to review AGR definition,” Internet Service Providers Association of India President Rajesh Chharia told PTI.

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the plea of telecom majors, including Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, seeking review of certain directions of the apex court on the recovery of past dues amounting to Rs 1.47 lakh crore from telecom service providers.