The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reinforced its recommendation of a six-fold increase in 2G spectrum prices.
Prior to this, TRAI had recommended pricing 6.2 MHz of pan-India spectrum at Rs 109.72 billion, as against Rs 16.58 billion paid by operators in 2008.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked TRAI to clarify certain points on spectrum pricing before finalising the National Telecom Policy 2011.
In its response, TRAI said, “If DoT decides to charge for spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz by way of amending the licence conditions, the current price would be that estimated by the experts.”
With regard to additional spectrum beyond the 6.2 MHz limit, each MHz of additional spectrum held by operators is expected to cost a one-time fee of Rs 45.71 billion(all-India).
However, it would vary from circle to circle and operators would have to pay only for those circles they hold extra spectrum in.
