DoT begins preparations for the upcoming 5G spectrum auction

The forthcoming 5G spectrum auction would reportedly encompass airwaves with a frequency range of 600 MHz to 37 GHz

The next 5G spectrum auction is being prepared for by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The previous 5G spectrum auction was held in the middle of 2022. For India, that was the country's first 5G spectrum auction. Many areas of the nation already have 5G service thanks to the telcos. They will be able to access more airwaves with a new round of spectrum auctions, improving 5G services and expanding its availability. The Telecom Department has requested reserve prices from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for a number of spectrum bands that have a potential market value of more than 2.5 lakh crore.

The forthcoming 5G spectrum auction would reportedly encompass airwaves with a frequency range of 600 MHz to 37 GHz, according to a report by ET, who broke the news of the development first. As the argument over the 6 GHz band is still going on, those frequencies would not be covered. The telecom regulator will carefully review the reference, and in the following weeks, TRAI will release a consultation paper on it.

Uncertainty exists over the precise date of the auction. While it is unlikely to occur in 2023, it is absolutely possible for it to occur in the first half of 2024. Although some people might be anticipating the upcoming spectrum auction, it is important to remember that there won't probably be a lot of intense bidding. This is due to the fact that only Airtel and Jio are deploying 5G in the market.

Given that Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Adani Data Networks have not yet used the spectrum they bought during the 2022 auctions, it will be pointless for them to bid on more airwaves in the following auction. Additionally, at the 2022 auctions, Airtel and Jio obtained most of the frequencies they needed for the rollout of 5G. In the upcoming spectrum auction for 5G airwaves, the amount of bidding will therefore likely be quite low.

Vodafone Idea and Adani Data Networks have reportedly contacted the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ask for a delay in order to meet the deadline for launching 5G services.

This rollout was initially scheduled to be completed by August 16. Even though Vodafone Idea’s 5G rollout has been delayed owing to funding concerns, Adani Group is still working on putting a 5G network in place in the 26 GHz band for captive networks. Although Vi purchased spectrum for 17 circles at the 5G spectrum auctions, only one circle has had 5G testing confirmed. As a result, the telco has fallen short of the government’s minimum deployment requirement set forth in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) for the 2022 5G spectrum auction.