4G spectrum auction to start from March 1, DoT issues NIA for telcos

The auction of 4G airwaves worth Rs 3.92 lakh crore at base price will start on March 1. The sales will help Reliance Jio renew a chunk of expiring spectrum permits and offer Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) a chance to strengthen their bandwidth holdings as data usage rises.
According to the notice inviting application (NIA), applications can continue till February 5. The auctions in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands will be the first conducted after 2016.
ET in its January 5 edition had written that NIAs will get rolled out this week.
The auctions come at a time when the data surge has increased multiple folds and the pandemic has led to an increased network load. Analysts expect the sale to generate Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 crore, with Jio, the only profit making carrier, expected to be the main buyer, followed by Airtel, and Vi pitching in for only some airwaves, if any.
The auctions are most crucial for Jio.