“Telecom operators have placed bids of around Rs 11,000 crore on Day 1. The auction will resume on Wednesday. However, telecom operators have shown interest in 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2500 MHz bands initially till the auction entered the fourth bidding rounds. We expect the participating telcos will continue their spirit for the tomorrow bidding as well,” the sources said.
According to the Day-1 spectrum auction, issued by the department of telecom (DoT), biddings took place mainly in the 900 and 1800 Mhz bands. “Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea are participating in the auction. Reliance Jio has deposited the highest earnest money of Rs 3,000 crore for the spectrum auction, which provides the company with the firepower to bid for maximum radiowaves among the three telcos. Similarly, Bharti Airtel has submitted an EMD of Rs 1,050 crore and Vodafone Idea (VIL) of Rs 300 crore,” the DoT said.
Earlier in the day, telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also said that the government started a spectrum auction for a total quantum of 10522.35 MHz valued at Rs 96,238 crore. “Certain that the auction will play a crucial role in facilitating affordable and quality telecom services for all and boosting innovation across India,” he said in a post on X.
It is the 10th spectrum auction since the process for sale of radio waves started through an online bidding process in 2010. The last spectrum auction was held in August 2022, which, for the first time, included radio waves for 5G services. The DoT has initiated the spectrum auction and notice, inviting applications was issued on March 8.
“The ministry of communications announced that the following spectrum bands will go up for bidding in the upcoming auction — 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz, 2,500 MHz, 3,300 MHz and 26 GHz. Total quantum of spectrum being auctioned is 10,522.35 MHz in various bands valuing Rs 96,238.45 crores at reserve prices,” the statement said earlier in the day.
In the mega auction, the 3,300 Mhz band and 26 Mhz band are seen as suitable bands for 5G services. However, telecom industry body Cellular Operators’ Association of India director General SP Kochhar also said the 5G auctions will catalyze the rapid rollout of 5G services across the country, leading to enhanced coverage and vastly improved connectivity.
“By bridging the digital divide, the 5G spectrum auctions will ensure that even the most remote areas of our country gain access to high-speed internet, thereby fostering greater economic opportunities and social advancement. “The auctions also symbolize our commitment to ‘Viksit Bharat’ and we are confident that the outcomes of these auctions will lay a strong foundation for a prosperous and digitally empowered India,” Kochhar said.
