The Telecom Commission on Saturday decided to go ahead with the spectrum price — recommended by TRAI — for all spectrum, including 700 MHz band airwave, during the auction in June – July, according to an official source.
According to the base price and quantum of spectrum recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for the upcoming auction, India could generate Rs 560,000 crore, or $83 billion, over the tenure of the contract.
TRAI has recommended Rs 1,595 crore for 700 MHz band, Rs 848 crore for 800 MHz, Rs 673 crore for 900 MHz, Rs 399 crore for 1,800 MHz, Rs 554 crore for 2,100 MHz, and Rs 143 crore for 2,300 MHz and 2,500 MHz for the Delhi circle.
The inter-ministerial panel has favoured that telecom companies who will win spectrum in higher frequency bands should make 50 percent upfront payment and rest over 10 years after a two-year moratorium. Earlier, telecom operators had option to make 33 percent upfront payment, reports IANS.
Recently, telecom industry body GSMA has urged the Telecom Commission to reduce the price of the 700 MHz band to support the growth of the Indian mobile broadband industry.
Telenor, a regional telecom operator in India, has warned that it could exit from the Indian telecom market if India is not selling spectrum at affordable price.
India government is planning to conduct spectrum auction in the next 2-3 months. Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone, Reliance Jio Infocomm and Reliance Jio Communications are expected to participate in the spectrum auction.
