5G spectrum auction outcome to boost connectivity: COAI

The outcome of ongoing spectrum sale will lead to increased coverage and enhanced connectivity, and lay a foundation for the digitally-empowered country, a telco group Tuesday said.

“The 5G auctions will catalyze the rapid rollout of 5G services across the country, leading to enhanced coverage and vastly improved connectivity,” the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) director general SP Kochhar said.

Delhi-based COAI, which represents incumbent telecom carriers, also said that it “eagerly anticipates the successful completion of 5G spectrum auctions.”

On Tuesday, India’s private carriers, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) have started putting in their bids for the second 5G airwaves auction.

The government has put spectrum across eight bands — 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3.3 GHz and 26 GHz — worth around Rs 96,238.45 crore at reserve prices.

Moreover, the successful deployment of 5G will be a major stride towards achieving digital inclusion, Kochhar said.

“By bridging the digital divide, the 5G spectrum auctions will ensure that even the most remote areas of our country gain access to high-speed internet, thereby fostering greater economic opportunities and social advancement.”

The current norms allow spectrum assignment for 20 years and successful bidders would be able to make payment in 20 equal annual instalments.

“The auctions also symbolize our commitment to Viksit Bharat and we are confident that the outcomes of these auctions will lay a strong foundation for a prosperous and digitally empowered India,” he added.

For the ongoing 5G spectrum auction, Jio, Airtel and Vi submitted EMDs of Rs 3,000 crore, Rs 1,050 crore and Rs 300 crore respectively which are below the last 5G radiowaves sale in 2022.