DoT releases revised application schedule for spectrum auction

The Department of Telecommunications has released a new schedule for the application submission procedure for upcoming spectrum auctions. Earlier this month, the DoT deferred the spectrum auction by 17 days to June 6 from May 20, as per the amendments made in the notice, inviting applications for the bids.

The amendments issued to NIA 2023-24 are:

The government will auction eight spectrum bands for mobile phone services at a base price of about Rs 96,317 crore. All the available spectrum in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz, 2,500 MHz, 3,300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands are part of the auction.

The spectrum will be assigned for 20 years and successful bidders will be allowed to make payments in 20 equal annual instalments.

The DoT has provided an option to surrender the spectrum acquired through the upcoming auction after a minimum period of 10 years.

CT Bureau