Consultation paper on upcoming spectrum auction likely this week

Consultation paper on airwaves sale is expected to be released this week, the telecom regulator Monday said.

“Consultation paper on upcoming spectrum auction is likely to be released this week,” Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) Chairman RS Sharma said at an Asia-Pacific telecom regulators’ event.

In 2016, telecom department (DoT) has asked Trai to prepare a roadmap for the next auctions including timeframe, quantum of spectrum and band price for various frequencies.

Besides pricing, the regulator is likely to also invite suggestions on schedule for the next radio waves sale that would include premium 700 Mhz band besides spectrum to be used for 5G airwaves for the first time, according to an official.

In October 2016 auction, the coveted airwaves in the 700 Mhz spectrum band went unsold as telcos found the reserve price of Rs 11,485 crore per MHz, to be very expensive to bid.

The regulator is widely expected to revise the base price for the 700 Mhz band lower.

“Everything will be on table, including revision of the 700 MHz price, as part of the consultation process,” Sharma told earlier ET.

The consultation paper will seek views from the industry stakeholders on comprehensive set of bands that include 700 Mhz, 800 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, 2100 Mhz, 2300 Mhz, 2500 Mhz, 3300-3400 Mhz and 3400-3500 Mhz.