The upcoming spectrum auction in India has attracted major telecom players like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea who have submitted their applications for bidding on the Rs 96,317-crore spectrum. This auction, set to commence on June 6, will encompass spectrum bands across different frequencies including the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz, 2,500 MHz, 3,300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands, with a total base price of Rs 96,317 crore.
Government sources have confirmed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will allow successful bidders from the auction a 20-year assignment of the spectrum, with the option to make payments in 20 equal annual instalments. Moreover, the DoT has included a provision for bidders to surrender the acquired spectrum after a minimum period of 10 years. In preparation for the auction, ownership details of the applicants will be disclosed by the DoT on May 10.
Key dates for the auction process include the last date for withdrawal of applications on May 17, and the announcement of the final list of bidders scheduled for May 20. Notably, in the previous auction, the Adani Group firm emerged as a surprise bidder, yet there have been no new names revealed for the upcoming spectrum auction so far.