New Delhi: The government is planning to charge up to 2% of the gross revenue of telecom operators for holding 8 MHz of radio frequency for 2G services, a move which would make extra spectrum costlier.

In addition to this, there will also be a one-time spectrum charge levied, highly placed sources said after a meeting between telecom minister A Raja and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in which finance minister P Chidambaram was also present.

It was decided in the meeting that action on 3G will be completed on or before 15 January as scheduled.

Sources said that department of telecom will levy a 1% charge on spectrum up to 8 MHz.

GSM Operators get 4.4 MHz of start-up spectrum (2.5 MHz in case of CDMA players) bundled with telecom licences.

Sources said that PM was apprised of the controversy over Swan and Unitech by the finance minister who told him that it was only dilution of shares of FDI and not any sale or trade.

“It is well within the corporate laws since FDI is allowed up to 74% since 2000,” sources said.