DoT not to include 600 MHz band in next spectrum sale

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will not auction the 600 MHz spectrum in the upcoming sale as it wants to conduct more studies to ensure there is no interference with satellite operations.

Interestingly, the spectrum band was put on sale in the last auction in August 2022, but found no takers. The price of 600 MHz, at Rs 3,927 crore per unit, was the same as the coveted 700 MHz band, which makes it the costliest among the 10 bands put on sale.

The DoT plans to conduct the next spectrum sale in March as permits of Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) expire in 2024 in some circles such as West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha.