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DoT To Auction 4G, 5G Spectrum In September-October; Officials Say Telecos Ready To Bid Despite High Prices Set By TRAI
The telcos had earlier raised concerns over the prices set by TRAI as unsustainable and too high, and have pointed out that India’s pricing is seven times higher than that of South Korea. (representative image) (Pexels/Pixabay)
With the new government taking charge, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to auction the 4G and 5G spectrum in September-October at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)-recommended prices, the Economic Times reports.
According to a senior government official, telecoms are ready for the next round of spectrum sale despite the TRAI-recommended prices for 5G supported bands are considered high to attract bids.
“The committee (looking into the regulator’s recommendations) has agreed that all available spectrum will have to be put up for auction, which we will take up to the DCC (Digital Communications Commission) on June 13,” the official said, asking anonymity.
“An inter-ministerial committee is going ahead with the selection of the auctioneer... We will move fast – September-October is by when the auctions can happen”, he added.
The spectrum sale is expected to be the largest in India, with 8,293.95 MHz of airwaves to go under auction at a total estimated base price of Rs 5.77 lakh crore. In 2016, the DoT had put up 2,354 MHz spectrum at the total base price of Rs 5.64 lakh crore.
Airwaves across seven 4G bands and 5G spectrum would go under the hammer for top telecoms Vodafone-Idea Limited (VIL), Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. The telcos had earlier raised concerns over the prices set by TRAI as unsustainable and too high. They have pointed out that India’s pricing is seven times higher than that of South Korea.
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