Recommendations on spectrum pricing for the next auction by mid-January: TRAI Chairman

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will come up with its recommendations on spectrum pricing for the next round of auction by mid-January. TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has said that “We have open house discussions on January 4. After that we should be able to give recommendation very soon, hopefully by mid-January”.

However, it has been reported that the government may not be able to commence spectrum auction in current financial year as there are various processes involved and main procedures will start after TRAI submits its suggestions on the pricing. Though, Trai is making effort to expedite the process.

Telecom regulator TRAI has floated a consultation paper on reference made by the government to suggest the base or floor price for all available airwaves for mobile services. Comments were also invited for quantum of spectrum to be auctioned, spectrum block size, spectrum cap, rollout obligations and methods to be used for valuation of reserve price. 

TRAI had sought public view on price of spectrum in 700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500 MHz Bands. The deadline for comments on the consultation process ended on December 21and people can submit counter comment by December 28. The government had pegged a revenue of Rs 42,865.62 crore from communication services that include upfront realisation from spectrum sale and licence fee for the current fiscal year.