The deadline for stakeholders' views for 5 G spectrum auction paper was extended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India TRAI on Thursday.
The last date for submission of written comments and counter comments has been extended, due to the requests of stakeholders for extended time for submission of comments, said TRAI in a statement.
The last date for receiving written comments on the issues raised by the stakeholders in the consultation paper was earlier fixed as December 28, 2021, and for counter comments as January 11, 2022. They have now been changed to January 10, 2022 and January 24, 2022 respectively, TRAI said in a statement.
The telecom regulator said no further requests for extension would be considered.
Last month TRAI released a detailed consultation paper to discuss the modalities for auction of 5 G spectrum bands, including pricing, quantum and related conditions.
The Telecom Department asked TRAI to provide recommendations on issues such as applicable reserve price, band size, block size, quantum of spectrum, and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in 526 -- 698 MHz, 700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, 3300 - 3670 MHz and 24.25 -- 28.5 GHz bands.
The last round of auctions, in March, had attracted bids of over 77,800 crore for 855.6 MHz of spectrum but 63 per cent of total radiowaves on offer remained un sold.
Players have been voicing concerns over high spectrum pricing and now all eyes are on the regulator to see if the spectrum valuation methodology is rehauled and pricing made attractive.
The sector is expecting to see satellite-based broadband services with OneWeb and Elon Musk-led Starlink already in the fray to start their service in 2022.
telcos have started building their warchest, with 5 G promise ready to unfold and given headroom for growth in the world's largest data market even amidst the Pandemic.
Jio Platforms - which houses India's youngest but largest telecom firm Jio and apps - raised a staggering sum of 1,52, 056 crore from marquee investors earlier in the day and seems to be tapping into new opportunities.
Airtel, whose Rs 21,000 crore rights issue was oversubscribed in October, plans to use the proceeds to strengthen its balance sheet, build its arsenal and gear up for 5 G.
The company expects to conclude its fund-raising plans this fiscal because of Vodafone Idea's fund-raising plans.