TRAI turns down DoT request for revision in spectrum pricing

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has not given in to the request of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to revise spectrum reserve prices.

“…The Authority reiterates the spectrum valuation and reserve prices as contained in its recommendations dated August 1, 2018,” it said on Monday in its response to DoT’s letter seeking a price revision.

TRAI had fixed the base price for the 700 MHz band at ₹6,568 crore per MHz, below the ₹11,485 crore set in the 2016-17 auctions. The 700 MHz is considered good for 4G LTE.

In its July 1 letter, DoT had requested TRAI to revise the reserve spectrum prices, especially that of 700 MHz, considering the current condition of the telecom industry.