The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved auctions in eight spectrum bands for mobile phone services at a base price of Rs 96,317.65 crore, mentioned data and broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur.
The spectrum public sale encompasses bands starting from 800 MHz to 26 GHz, totaling 10,523.8 MHz. Thakur clarified that the reserve price was decided utilizing appropriate indexation and reiterated the need for present telecom service suppliers to proceed utilising spectrum by paying the auction-determined costs throughout the interim interval to make sure uninterrupted telecom services.
The Cabinet’s approval comes simply earlier than the expiration of Bharti Airtel’s spectrum in 5 circles, with one other set to run out in March. Vodafone Idea additionally faces expiring spectrum in West Bengal and UP West, requiring permission to take care of utilization.
In a transfer in direction of enhancing passenger security, the Cabinet has selected spectrum re-allocation and extra allocation for the transport system. Notably, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has been provisionally assigned the 5 MHz spectrum within the 700 MHz band, with plans to assign this to a number of regional and concrete rail-based transit methods. Furthermore, extra spectrum within the 700 MHz band might be reserved for Indian Railways, aligning with the nationwide roll-out of Kavach to bolster passenger security.
The resolution additionally contains the formation of a committee underneath the Cabinet Secretary to finalise a plan for re-farming sure spectrum bands, indicating a strategic strategy in direction of spectrum administration.
Thakur highlighted the numerous strides made in telecom infrastructure deployment, with over 4.2 lakh base stations established in 740 districts inside 14 months. Additionally, India’s speedy deployment of 5G services positions it because the world’s second-largest 5G ecosystem, boasting over 13 crore subscribers.
(With PTI inputs)
