Reliance spent Rs 88,078 crore towards 5G spectrum, Bharti Airtel spent Rs 43,084 crore, and Vodafone Idea spent Rs 18,799 crore for spectrum in 2022 auction. Therefore, this time, the telcos will only bid for airwaves, which will be up for renewal in some circles. For instance, Vodafone Idea and Bharti Airtel have to renew their spectrum of 900 and 1800 MHz bands in eight circles: Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, North-East, and Odisha.
The Cabinet on Thursday approved a spectrum auction with a total of 10,523 MHz and a valuation of Rs 96,318 crore (at reserve price). The auction will take place in the spectrum at 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz.
It said unsold airwaves from the last auction as well as spectrum held by certain companies undergoing insolvency and expiring in 2024 will go for auction. To ensure continuity of telecom services, spectrum will be given to companies for an interim period on payment of the reserve price.