The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has decided to reschedule the spectrum auction to June 6, 2024. Initially, the spectrum auction was slated for May 20, 2024, as indicated in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA). However, due to the upcoming general elections during that period, the DoT has opted to postpone the auction to June 6, 2024.
Additionally, the mock auction date has been shifted to June 3. This auction will mark the first instance where DoT will publish an auction catalogue for a live auction. Notably, telecom companies will not be required to submit bank guarantees or performance bank guarantees, as these requirements have been waived through government relief measures for the telecom sector.
The government has decided to exclude the 700 MHz band from this auction, leaving Reliance Jio as the sole holder of access to the 700 MHz frequencies for providing connectivity services.
Anticipated participation in the upcoming spectrum auction is expected to be limited, with telecom companies focusing primarily on acquiring airwaves in circles where their existing frequencies are set to expire soon. While there will be minimum rollout obligations for the 5G spectrum, Jio and Airtel have already fulfilled these requirements.
Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Adani Data Networks are among the companies that have yet to meet the minimum 5G rollout obligations mandated by the Department of Telecommunications. Vi has requested additional time from the DoT to meet these obligations. Although the telecom department retains the authority to penalize Vi for non-compliance, it has adopted a lenient stance considering the financial challenges faced by the telco.
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