Operators wishing to purchase 5G spectrum can apply until April 22nd.
According to local reports, the Indian government has confirmed that the upcoming spectrum auction is scheduled to begin on May 20th.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) outlining the rules for the process.
The next auction will feature 5G radio waves in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz, and 26 GHz bands.
Telecommunications carriers wishing to purchase spectrum can apply until April 22. According to reports, a mock spectrum auction will be held on May 13th and 14th.
Sources said Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea (Vi) will only make a few bids for spectrum renewal in the auction.
Bharti Airtel and Vi permits expire in 2024 in some parts of India. Airtel’s spectrum update this year will be in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands in J&K, Odisha, Bihar, UP East, West Bengal and Assam. Vi faces spectrum renewal in West Bengal (900 MHz and 1800 MHz) and UP-West (900 MHz).
Earlier this year, the DoT confirmed that it would not auction off the 600 MHz band in the upcoming spectrum auction as it aims to conduct further studies to ensure there is no interference to satellite operations.
According to local newspaper economic timesOfficials said India wanted to become part of the list of countries offering IMT on 600MHz, but China opposed this.
The 600MHz band was put up for sale at the previous auction in August 2022, but remained unsold.
India completed its first 5G spectrum auction in July 2022. Reliance Jio spent his $11 billion and acquired the most frequencies. Airtel acquired his spectrum worth $5.4 billion and Vodafone acquired his spectrum worth $2.4 billion. Finally, Adani will purchase approximately $27 million worth of spectrum, which will be used to provide private 5G network services.
Local operator Reliance Jio Infocomm has already completed the rollout of 5G technology in India. Reliance Jio Infocomm is rapidly expanding its 5G network using Standalone (SA) architecture from October 2022.
Meanwhile, rival telco Bharti Airtel had previously said it plans to cover the entire country with 5G technology by March 2024.
Airtel currently uses equipment from Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung to offer its 5G service.
