The government has increased the pan-India base prices for 5G airwaves auction. The country s second auction of 5G spectrum begins on May 20. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have concluded their 5G rollouts while Vodafone Idea is yet to close its pending fundraise.
A rather unusual 5G story comes from Chile, where operator Movistar recently requested that the imminent second 5G spectrum tender be suspended – a request that has been rejected by the Chilean antitrust authority the TDLC (el Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia).
The government is expected to achieve its revenue target of ₹1.2 lakh crore from the telecom sector in the next financial year, even without a major spectrum auction. The increasing financial health of the telecom sector, resulting in higher licence fees and spectrum charges, along with significant payments from state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) for its 5G spectrum, is anticipated to contribute to the revenue goal. While a spectrum auction is planned, the response is predicted to be subdued as operators acquired sufficient airwaves in the August 2022 sale to meet their 5G requirements.
Discussions are ongoing between DGCA, DoT, telecom companies, airline operators, and aircraft manufacturers to resolve the issue of interference caused by outdated altimeters in aircraft due to wider frequencies caught by 5G.
The Indian Department of Telecommunications will not auction the 600 MHz spectrum in the upcoming 5G auction due to concerns about interference with satellite operations. The 600 MHz band, which costs Rs 3,927 crore per unit, was put on sale in August 2022 but found no takers. The DoT plans to conduct the next spectrum sale in March as permits of Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea expire in 2024 in certain areas.