Telecom Spectrum Auction

5G spectrum: Centre is looking for ways to shift some broadcasting and satellite players from 3.8 GHz to higher frequency

PM Modi recently said that India is planning to launch 6G services by the end of this decade. But are we ready? While the 5G launch still looks like a distant dream, this report does a reality check

In a market of 1.3 billion with only about a half having access to mobile broadband, the untapped user base still holds much promise

Here's a selection of Business Standard opinion pieces for the day

Telecom auction fails price discovery test

DoT may garner Rs 20,000 crore as upfront payment in FY21

Revenue garnered from 4G auction may be much lower than reserve price set at Rs 3.92 trillion

The premium band is considered ideal for internal coverage but went unsold in the 2016 auctions. TRAI in its recommendations in August 2018 reduced the price by 40%

The auctions are slated to be held in March 2021 and the notice inviting applications is expected by the end of this month

The Centre has budgeted Rs 1.33 trillion as non-tax receipts from the telecom sector for FY2021

Clearly the government is pinning its hope very highly on the mega success of the spectrum auction

DCC has decided to offer a two-year moratorium on payment for the airwaves

Recently, SC had upheld the government's definition of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and directed telecom operators to pay up the pending dues that could add up to an estimated Rs 1.33 trillion

The IMG submitted its report on August 31, 2017, in which it noted that the financial stress in the sector has been caused because of low operating cash flows

The source, however, said the latest recommendations of Trai on spectrum auction plan worth Rs 4.9 trillion may not come

Nearly 60% of the radiowaves, including premium 4G bands, remained unsold in that 2016 auction

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had held an extensive dialogue last week on spectrum auctions with telcos, most of whom are opposed to auctions