Spectrum bid amount crosses Rs 1.02 lakh crore; under 13% still available

Spectrum bid amount crosses Rs 1.02 lakh crore; under 13% still available

NEW DELHI: The bid amount for the spectrum auctions has now touched Rs 102,215 crore with just under 13 per cent spectrum still available for allocation.

 

With this, over 87 per cent of the spectrum has been provisionally allocated in the 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz bands now.

 

Though the government claimed aggressive bidding was on at the end of the 61st round with six rounds completed on the tenth day, 14 March, the pace appears to have slowed down.

 

The auction will continue in all bands with brisk bidding in 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz bands.

 

A majority of service areas are going at a premium over reserve price. With 100 per cent activity requirement and activity in new service areas, competitive bidding is expected to continue today.

 

The government had initially expected to reap around Rs 49,000 crore from the auction, though the Communications and IT Ministry sources had later predicted that it would get close to Rs 1 lakh crore.