The government's spectrum auctions fell short of expectations on October 6, 2016, fetching the exchequer Rs 65,789 crore as it could sell only 40% of 2,353MHz airwaves. It would have garnered Rs 5.6 lakh crore if all the spectrum was sold at the reserve price.
While the cash-strapped telecom operators made bids for spectrum in the 1,800MHz, 2,300MHz and 2,500MHz bands -used for providing high-speed 4G internet services -there were no takers for the 700MHz band, which was put up for sale for the first time but was rejected by the operators for its seemingly "high pricing."
Vodafone, which does not have pan-India 4G presence, spent the maximum, shelling out over Rs 20,000 crore for buying the coveted airwaves. On the other hand, Bharti Airtel spent Rs 14,244 crore while Reliance Jio -which has unleashed fierce competition in the segment -will be paying Rs 13,672 crore. The Birlas-owned Idea Cellular, which is also desperate to expand 4G footprint, spent Rs 12,798 crore.
With the auctions now ending after 31 rounds and 5 days, the all-time record for the highest collection from spectrum sale remains at Rs 1.1 lakh crore, which was achieved last year.
There were no takers also in 900MHz band, though this could be due to the very low quantity of spectrum (9.40MHz) that the government had put up for sale. The telcos also bought spectrum in the 2,500MHz band, which they also intend to use for carrying high-speed 4G data.
While the cash-strapped telecom operators made bids for spectrum in the 1,800MHz, 2,300MHz and 2,500MHz bands -used for providing high-speed 4G internet services -there were no takers for the 700MHz band, which was put up for sale for the first time but was rejected by the operators for its seemingly "high pricing."
Vodafone, which does not have pan-India 4G presence, spent the maximum, shelling out over Rs 20,000 crore for buying the coveted airwaves. On the other hand, Bharti Airtel spent Rs 14,244 crore while Reliance Jio -which has unleashed fierce competition in the segment -will be paying Rs 13,672 crore. The Birlas-owned Idea Cellular, which is also desperate to expand 4G footprint, spent Rs 12,798 crore.
With the auctions now ending after 31 rounds and 5 days, the all-time record for the highest collection from spectrum sale remains at Rs 1.1 lakh crore, which was achieved last year.
There were no takers also in 900MHz band, though this could be due to the very low quantity of spectrum (9.40MHz) that the government had put up for sale. The telcos also bought spectrum in the 2,500MHz band, which they also intend to use for carrying high-speed 4G data.
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