COAI urges DoT to slash 5G base prices by 60-70%

MUMBAI: The Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) which represents the private telcos -Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi) – has asked the telecom department to reduce base prices of 5G airwaves by more than half, if it wants a successful auction.

“The telcos via COAI have said unless airwave prices are not dropped by 60-70%, then 5G auctions won’t be successful. The three telcos will participate better if prices are lowered,” said a senior executive of one of the private telcos. The letter was sent a week ago.

COAI did not respond to ET’s queries at the time of publishing this story.