The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released the list of final bidders for the spectrum auction in various band categories.
As per the list, DoT has named Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi), and Reliance Jio as the final bidders in the spectrum auction of 10,523.15 MHz of 5G airwaves worth Rs 963.17 billion in eight key bands.
According to the list, the earnest money deposit (EMD) amount by Airtel is Rs 10.5 billion, Vi’s EMD amount is Rs 3 billion, and Jio has an EMD amount of Rs 30 billion. In addition, DoT has allocated eligibility points to Airtel at 7,613, to Vi at 2,200 points, and to Jio at 21,363 points.
Further, companies whose licenses and spectrum are expiring in calendar 2024, and who do not hold any spectrum, bought through previous auctions in a particular circle or band, will also be treated as new entrants in the sale.
Under the spectrum auction rules, DoT has pegged the net worth eligibility for bidders at Rs 1 billion per licensed service area (LSA), with Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast circles being exceptions where the net worth requirement is lower at Rs 500 million.
Furthermore, DoT had put up an auction of airwaves in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands. However, premium 5G airwaves in the 700 MHz band were not auctioned this time around as supplies have run out.
