Spectrum auction fetches `77,814 cr
Jio emerges biggest buyer, followed by Airtel
Reliance Jio on Tuesday emerged as the biggest bidder in the telecom spectrum auction conducted by the government, acquiring spectrum worth
`57,122.65 crore. Bharti Airtel picked up radiowaves worth `18,699 crore, while Vodafone Idea (Vi) bought spectrum worth
`1,993.40 crore.
The first auction of spectrum in five years ended on the second day on Tuesday with 855.60 MHz of airwaves bought for
`77,814.80 crore.
“While there were no bidders for 700 MHz and
2,500 MHz bands, only 15 MHz, or 8.57 per cent of available spectrum, was acquired in 2,100 MHz band,” the communications ministry said in a statement.
Over 2,250 MHz of spectrum, that carry telecom signals, in seven bands worth nearly `4 lakh crore at the reserve or start price, was offered for bidding in the auction that began on Monday. The government had received bids of `77,146 crore on the first day.
“Incremental bids for `668.20 crore were made (second day) today,” telecom secretary Anshu Prakash said in the statement, adding that out of the total 2308.80 MHz of spectrum put up for auction the government received bids for 855.60 MHz.
“Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) for the spectrum acquired in this auction will be payable at the rate of 3 per cent of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of the licensee, excluding revenue from wireline services,” the statement said.
There were only three bidders this year, as against seven during the last spectrum auction in
2016. DoT aimed to raise at least `3.92 lakh crore by auctioning the entire spectrum.
The DoT, however, auctioned over 2,308 units of spectrum across the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz,
1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands. Bids were received for radio airwaves in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz,
2,100 MHz and 2,300 MHz bands. Spectrum in the 700 MHz and 2,500 MHz bands remained unsold.
Telecom experts said the
700 MHz band did not find any takers as it was too costly due to its high base price, nearly `2 lakh crore, like the 2016 auction. “The 5G-capable 700 MHz airwaves will remain largely unsold as it is the most expensive band,” they said.
TELECOM EXPERTS said the 700 MHz band did not find any takers as it was too costly due to its high base price, nearly `2 lakh crore, like the 2016 spectrum auction.