Trai Recommended Spectrum Pricing Likely to Get Approved by DCC

The Digital Communications Committee (DCC) which was previously known as the Telecom Secretary, heads the apex telecom related decisionmaking in the country now. The next most crucial decision in line for the committee seems to be regarding the 4G spectrum and 5G airwaves auction. In a new development reported by ET Telecom, the DCC might likely approve the spectrum pricing recommended by the sector regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). The DCC will give its approval next week in a meeting which could also lead to the finalisation about the quantum of the spectrum that is to be put for auction. It is also worth noting that the upcoming spectrum sale, which will include 4G and G airwaves will be India’s biggest spectrum sale.

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Trai Did Not Budge on Recommended Prices for Spectrum

A senior Department of Telecommunications (DoT) official said, “Meeting is likely on September 16. Trai’s recommendations are likely to be taken up… In all probability, they should get approved because there isn’t a way to lower the reserve price.” The DoT official also added that the department is now helpless about the reserve prices of the spectrum that are to be put up for sale in the upcoming auctions. Trai had made recommendations about the prices of the spectrum in August 2018. Even after the government asked Trai to lower the spectrum prices saying that the high prices would impair the buying power of the telcos in an already cash strapped industry, the regulator did not budge from its recommended prices.