Telcos may buy 5G suitable spectrum, but price a concern

Telecom operators can, in the next auction scheduled in March, buy spectrum in bands that can be used for 5G service, though the radio airwaves being put up for sale are ideally suited to 4G technology, analysts said.

Adding 5G-capable spectrum to their shopping cart may be an attractive idea for telcos, but the reserve price fixed for the sale could be a deterrent, they cautioned.

The cabinet on Wednesday approved the auction of spectrum in the 700 megahertz (MHz), 800MHz, 900MHz, 1,800MHz, 2,100MHz, 2,300MHz, and 2,500MHz bands but not those of the 3,300-3,600MHz bands that have been earmarked by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) for 5G.