5G spectrum auction today: Jio, Airtel, Vi, Adani Data Networks in the fray
On Tuesday, the eagerly anticipated 5G spectrum auction will take place, and the Center anticipates making between Rs 1-1.1 lakh crore from it. In this auction, a spectrum with a 72 gigahertz (GHz) bandwidth and approximately 72,000 megahertz (MHz) spread across nine bands with a 20-year validity period would be sold for Rs 4.3 lakh.
On June 15, the Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the 5G spectrum auction and permitted non-telecom service providers to bid for spectrum to build captive 5G networks in India. There will be an auction for 72 gigahertz (GHz) of spectrum, or 72,000 megahertz (MHz), worth Rs. 4.3 lakh billion. On July 26, the auction will get started.
Radiowaves in the low-frequency (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, and 2,300 MHz), mid-frequency (3,300 MHz), and high-frequency bands will be put up for auction (26 GHz). The duration of the auction will depend on the real demand for radiowaves and the tactics used by different bidders.
These bands will aid telecoms in improving network coverage, and it will be crucial to balance their investments with the possible advantages of each band. Operators will compete for 5G networks, lowering SUC (spectrum usage charges) rates and upgrading existing spectrum bands, leading to a focus on the 3.3 GHz/26 GHz spectrum bands, according to stockbroker Jefferies.
According to a press release from the DoT, the initial phase of the rollout of 5G services will include 13 significant cities. Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurugram, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jamnagar, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh are among these cities.
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