India’s Telecom Commission is to allow internet service providers to use broadband wireless spectrum (BWA) for voice services, reports the Economic Times.

Holders of the spectrum will be able to offer the additional service for a fee of INR16.58 billion ($306 million), according to Telecom Secretary R. Chandrashekhar.

The Indian cabinet has approved the proposal with the framework for the revised licences due to be ready by the end of the current financial year, Chandrashekhar added.

RJI, Bharti Airtel, Aircel, Reliance Communications, Augere and Tikona Digital all won BWA spectrum in 2010. All except Bharti Airtel and Aircel were designated as internet service providers, restricting their ability to offer voice services on their networks.

The Telecom Commission provision endorses recommendations made by the Department of Telecommunications regarding the Unified Licensing regime, which allows spectrum to be used for different services.