India spectrum auction close to ending on day 7

NEW DELHI: India’s first ever 5G spectrum auctions is close to an end on the seventh day of the sale with the government set to net a record over Rs1.5 lakh crore.Market leader Reliance Jio is set to emerge as the most aggressive bidder, followed by second ranked Bharti Airtel, with cash strapped Vodafone Idea bidding for 5G airwaves in its priority circles. New entrant Adani Data Networks is said to have bid for 5G airwaves in the 26 GHz band to be used for its captive private networks.

The auctions over the last few days was driven by intense bidding for 1800 MHz airwaves in the key Uttar Pradesh (East) market. The per unit price of 1800 MHz spectrum in UP-East circle jumped to Rs 160.57 crore — almost 76.5% higher than its Rs 91 crore per MHz base price. The current auction price for 1800 MHz in the circle is also well above the Rs 153-crore per MHz base price of the March 2021 sale.