Spectrum auction: Govt revenues rise to Rs 1.09 lakh cr on Day 18

Initially, DoT had estimated to earn around Rs 80,000 cr-Rs 1 lakh cr from the sale of radio waves

The government’s assured revenues from telecom spectrum auction rose to Rs 1.09 lakh crore at the end of 18th day of bidding on Tuesday. On Monday, it stood at Rs 1.05 lakh crore.

The auction will continue on Wednesday, according to a statement by the department of telecommunications (DoT).

“Brisk bidding was seen on 18th day of bidding, with activity requirement set at 100 per cent. There is a robust bidding going on in 900-MHz and 800-MHz bands. At the end of the 110th round, about 89 per cent of the spectrum has been provisionally allocated to bidders. The provisional amount committed by bidders at the end of the 110th round is over Rs 1.09 lakh crore. A majority of the service areas are going at a premium over reserve price. The competitive bidding is expected to continue. There is still spectrum, which is yet to be sold,” DoT said in a statement.

The government has put 380.75 MHz of spectrum in the 800-MHz, 900-MHz and 1,800-MHz bands, and five MHz in the 2,100-MHz band across 17 of the 22 circles on offer to the telecom operators for commercial use. The ongoing round of auction started on March 4.

Initially, DoT had estimated to earn around Rs 80,000 crore-Rs 1 lakh crore from the sale of radio waves. Morgan Stanley had, in a note, predicted the government’s earning at around Rs 1,18,500 crore.

Final results of the spectrum auction will not be published for now, as the Supreme Court has barred DoT to do so without its permission. A hearing in the apex court in this regard is scheduled for Thursday.