Spectrum Sale

Adani Data Networks acquired 400 MHz in the 26 GHz band for Rs 212 crore during the July 2022 spectrum auctions, but has yet to announce any timeline for its 5G service launch

Telecom regulator Trai on Friday recommended the allotment of the only chunk of 5 megahertz spectrum left in premium 700 Mhz band frequency range to Indian Railways for passenger safety applications. The price of per megahertz (Mhz) spectrum in 700 Mhz band frequency was priced at Rs 3,927 crore for commercial use. "In addition to the already assigned 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band, an additional 5 MHz (paired) frequency spectrum in the 700 MHz frequency band should be assigned to Indian Railways for its safety and security applications along the railway tracks for captive use," Trai said in its recommendation on "Assignment of Additional Spectrum to Indian Railways for its Safety and Security Applications". The DoT has already allocated 5 Mhz of spectrum in the 700 Mhz band to Indian Railways in 2021. Telecom signals transmitted in 700 Mhz band can cover an area in the range of 6-10 km. The vast coverage provided in these frequency bands reduces th

The Union Cabinet has waived the requirement to submit bank guarantees for spectrum purchased through auctions held before 2022, according to sources. The move brings huge relief to debt-ridden Vodafone Idea as it already crossed the timeline to submit Rs 24,746.9 crore bank guarantee for spectrum payment coming up between October 2025 and September 2026. The decision will also provide relief to Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio who have bought radiowaves through various auctions that were held before 2022. "Cabinet has waived the requirement of bank guarantees as per the relief sought by telcos," a source said. As part of telecom reforms announced in September 2021, the government has already waived the requirement of depositing bank guarantees for spectrum purchased through auctions. Vodafone Idea CEO Akshaya Moondra in the company's earning call had said the bank guarantees will impact the company's ability to seek debt facilities from the banks which the firm requires for investm

Billionaire Elon Musk welcomed India’s indication of preferring the allocation route for satellite spectrum over auctions.

Telecom regulator Trai on Friday started a consultation process to explore methodology and price for assigning spectrum to satellite companies to provide calling, messaging, broadband and other services in the country. The decision on spectrum price and allocation methodology will pave the way for satellite-based broadband services from companies like Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, Bharti Group-backed OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications across India. While the government, under the Telecommunications Act 2023, has decided to allocate spectrum for most of the satellite services without auction through the administrative process, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), in the consultation process, has invited views on alternate ways of assigning radio waves to the satellite companies. "Whether there are any other suggestions related to the assignment of spectrum for NGSO-based Fixed Satellite Services for providing data communication and Internet services...GSO/ NGSO based ..

The SC has refused to accept the plea seeking clarifications on administrative allocation of spectrum

Non tax revenue from the telecom sector rose by 44 percent in FY24

Spectrum for satellite broadband services is not in the Bill's list and it would likely be auctioned

The reserve price fixed for spectrum is a "fair number" and the same is visible from the auction outcome, said telecom minister Vaishnaw

The government is focused on policies in areas like licencing framework, spectrum management and broadband to strengthen digital infrastructure, a senior DoT official said on Tuesday.

The government sold airwaves worth Rs 77,814 crore in 4G spectrum auction that ended on March 2.

Promoters to dilute stake post conversion

Telecom operators will need to submit their application by February 5 for participation in the auction

It is hoped that the government and the regulator will come together and take the requisite steps to propel the sector on the growth and profitability path

The government is planning to hold next round of spectrum auction in April-May this year. The auction will also include radiowaves for 5G services

Clearly the government is pinning its hope very highly on the mega success of the spectrum auction

TDSAT had asked government to return Rs 104 crore to now-bankrupt company after encashing bank guarantee of Rs 908 crore against spectrum charges of Rs 774 crore.

Airtel has placed a conditional bid to buy RCom's spectrum, and Bharti Infratel has submitted bids for the Anil Ambani company's mobile towers

Reliance Jio has paid Rs 1,133 crore to the Department of Telecom, Vodafone Idea paid Rs 2,421 crore and Bharti Airtel paid Rs 977 crore

CAG) in its report tabled in Parliament last week said microwave access (MWA) spectrum was allocated to a telecom operator in 2015 on first-come-first-served