NEW DELHI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Tuesday recommended the auction of two new sets of spectrum in the high frequency range of 37-37.5 Ghz and 37.5-40 Ghz band. The regulator has suggested a mere base price of ₹5.98 crore per megahertz on pan-India basis — the lowest for any spectrum band till date.
Telecom operators can now buy more 5G spectrum with Trai’s recommendations for auction of nearly 3000 MHz airwaves in the millimeter wave (mmWave) band.
At a reserve price of ₹5.98 crore per MHz, the spectrum is worth ₹17,940 crore. The spectrum is over 14% cheaper at reserve price when compared to 26 Ghz band, which is also mmWave band and was auctioned in 2022.
“The frequency spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz and 37.5-40 GHz frequency ranges should be put to auction in the forthcoming spectrum auction,” Trai said in its recommendation on the frequency spectrum in 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands identified for IMT.
Interested bidders will need to buy spectrum worth ₹598 crore at least in these bands, as per the Trai recommendation.
However, the regulator has not recommended auction of frequency range between 42.5-43.5 Ghz because of the lack of device ecosystem that can support services in these bands.
The regulator has recommended use of spectrum in 37.5-40 Ghz for establishing satellite earth station gateway — a center that connects satellite services for transmission for use on land.