The ongoing spectrum auction for 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands entered its second week on Monday with bids worth over Rs.58,300 crore received so far. Intense bidding is still being seen for the 900 MHz band in the three metro telecom circles of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata, though demand for the 1800 MHz band remained subdued due to greater availability of radio waves for sale. “At the end of Day Seven, 49 rounds of bidding have been completed. Bids have been received in all 22 service areas (telecom circles) in 1800 MHz and in all three service areas in the 900 MHz band. Thus, bidding has taken place in all the service areas in both bands,” an official statement said.
Around Rs.2,000 crore were added in Monday’s auction. Against the target of getting at least Rs.11,000 crore from the auction in the current fiscal, the government has so far ensured revenue worth over Rs.16,700 crore.
Telecom experts believe that collections could even touch Rs.20,000 crore.
The Department of Telecom has put on sale about 385 MHz of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band and 46 MHz in the 900 MHz band.
In the premium 900 MHz band, telecom companies such as Vodafone, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio continue to bid aggressively. Licences of some companies such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai are expiring later this year so it is a must for both companies to get 900 MHz band spectrum to continue their operations in this band.
