Cabinet approves next round of spectrum auction, to be held in March

NEW DELHI:The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the modalities of the next round of spectrum auction to be held in March, communications, electronics and information technology (IT) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. The notice inviting applications for sale of airwaves will be issued this month.

The department of telecommunications (DoT) plans to sell 2,251 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum worth ₹3.92 trillion. It will auction spectrum in the 700MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 2300MHz and 2500MHz bands, some of which are touted as the most efficient for 4G services. Spectrum in the 3300-3600MHz bands, recommended by the telecom regulator for 5G, have not been included in the upcoming auction.

Bidders will have to comply with auction conditions such as block size, spectrum cap which specifies the maximum limit for holding airwaves by each bidder, rollout obligations, and payment terms, according to a government statement.