Telcos may buy under 40% of spectrum on sale
The next spectrum auction is likely to see muted participation, with telecom operators together expected to spend only about Rs 83,500 crore against spectrum worth nearly Rs 2.19 lakh crore at reserve prices, according to an assessment based on operators’ current holdings, regulatory caps and network deployment needs. This means that barely 37–38% of the spectrum put on sale may find buyers, leaving a large portion unsold.
The estimate factors in spectrum that will be available following expiries as well as airwaves freed up from bankrupt operators, all of which the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended be included in the auction.
