DoT Planning Next Spectrum Auctions for Telcos in February 2024: Report

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dot planning next spectrum auctions for telcos

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning the next round of spectrum auctions by February 2024. The previous auction took place in mid-2022 and since then, the telcos have been busy deploying 5G. The Indian government wants one spectrum auction every financial year. As we head towards the last quarter, only three months remain for the government to hold the spectrum auction. There’s a chance that the auctions could also take place in January, said a report from the TelegraphIndia.

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Telcos won’t go all in on the next auction. The 2022 spectrum auction roped in Rs 1.5 lakh crore for the govt. However, it won’t be the same this time. The telcos would only invest in those bands which they already own but need more of as some might be expiring shortly. Vodafone Idea will likely not invest any further in 5G spectrum bands as it is yet to utilise the airwaves it acquired during the 2022 auction.

Airtel will see spectrum expiring in some telecom circles and that is where the telco would invest. Reliance Jio is unlikely to spend even half of what it did in 2022. The reserve price for the spectrum band will be the same as the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) declined to give fresh pricing.