Vodafone Idea missed the deadline to submit a bank guarantee of Rs 6,091 crore to cover the shortfall in its 2015 spectrum auction dues. The telecom department (DoT) had directed the struggling telecom operator to either furnish the guarantee or make a cash payment of Rs 5,493 crore by March 10. This bank guarantee is meant to cover a one-time payment shortfall for spectrum acquired after 2015. This development follows DoT’s decision to waive Rs 24,800 crore in bank guarantees for spectrum auctions held in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2021. However, the waiver did not extend to the 2015 auction, and Vodafon Idea had requested DoT to include it in the relief. The company is currently in the process of launching its 5G commercially, starting with Mumbai this month. It has begun trial runs of the network in the city, aiming for a full commercial launch around Holi on March 14. After Mumbai, the operator plans to roll out 5G in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and Patna by April.