Spectrum auction bids cross Rs 61,000 cr

Aggressive bidding was seen on the 9th day of telecom spectrum auction for 1800 Mhz band, taking the total value of radiowaves to Rs 61,093.83 crore today.
"Total bids worth Rs 61,091.83 crore, which is about 27 per cent more than the spectrum value at the base price, were received at the end of 63 rounds on the 9th day," Telecom Secretary MF Farooqui said after at the close of the day.
The bid value for spectrum - 900 Mhz and 1800 Mhz bands - has now reached over 90 per cent of the money that government received in the 3G spectrum auction in 2010, although a larger quantum of radiowaves has been put on the block in the current round.

Bids worth Rs 37,502.21 crore, amounting to 106.6 per cent of radiowaves for spectrum in 1800 Mhz band were received. However, there was no change in the price of the premium 900 Mhz band at Rs 23,589.62 crore compared to the previous day.
The price of radiowaves in the 900 Mhz band is now 85 per cent more than the base price.
Spectrum price in Assam increased 5 times of its base price at the end of 9th day of auction rounds at Rs 34.75 crore per megahertz.
Demand for airwaves frequencies in 1800 Mhz band was seen in Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai service area.

"In Madhya Pradesh, price for 1800 Mhz band increased by 17 per cent and in Mumbai it was up by 31 per cent compared to base price. Upfront payment from this auction till date now stands at Rs 18,273 crore," Farooqui said.