Consultation starts for next round of spectrum auction: TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Thursday started the consultation process for the next round of spectrum auction for the telecom operators whose airwaves licence is expiring in 2015-16, an official statement said here.

The consultation process will help determine the reserve price of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum, expected to be auctioned in February, 2015.

Eighteen out of 22 circles across the country will go for auction.

"The key issues raised in the consultation paper are contiguity of spectrum, the block size, valuation and reserve price of of spectrum in 900/1800 MHz spectrum bands," the sector regulator stated.

In December 2015, seven each licences of Idea Cellular and Reliance Communications, four licences of Bharti Airtel and six licences of Vodafone are scheduled to complete their 20-year term, beyond which they require renewal.

Around 184 Mhz of spectrum in 900 MHz band and 104 MHz in 1800 Mhz band would be put up for auction, the TRAI consultation paper said.

TRAI has invited comments from stakeholders by Sep 8, 2014 and counter-comments by Sep 15, 2014. An open house discussion on the consultation paper will take place on Sep 22, 2014 in the capital, the release said.

The revenue target set by the government in 2014-15 Budget from spectrum auction is to the tune of Rs.45,471 crore.

In 2013-14, the total receipts from auction were of the order of Rs.40,847.06 crore. In February 2014, in a 10-day auction of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, the government mopped up Rs.61,162 crore.