Vodafone Idea shares surge 15% in trade today; here's why

Earlier on Wednesday, Anjali Hans, senior vice president of public policy for the company, batted for a level playing field for OTT and satellite internet players. Speaking at the India Mobile Congress, Hans said, "Same service, same rules would be the need of the hour if the entire digital ecosystem has to flourish together."

Vodafone shares have risen over 25 percent in the past five sessions. The stock had scaled a fresh 52-week high on Monday amid the reports that the Department of Telecom (DoT) had released Vodafone Idea's bank guarantees (BGs). The BGs were worth Rs 12,000 crore. However, in an exchange reply, the telecom disputed the reports saying it would keep the exchange informed if the regulator took any such action.

In a relief package to telcos, the government had given a four-year moratorium on the payment of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues. Earlier, the telecom companies were required to pay a part of their revenue to the government. While the telcos insisted on paying only the telecom revenue, the government maintained they pay the non-telecom revenue as well. In the relief package, not only did the government provide a moratorium on the existing dues, but it also removed 'non-telecom revenue' from the definition.

The government had provided structural reforms on the spectrum usage charges, licence and other fees. Saying that this regime was putting an undue burden on the sector, the government had rationalised it.