The Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI) has requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to auction spectrum in the 800 MHz band simultaneously with GSM spectrum in the 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
According to AUSPI, de-linking the 800 MHz band auction from that of the GSM bands is discriminatory and impacts the plans of dual-technology players such as Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices Limited of participating in the forthcoming spectrum auction in January 2014.
In a communication to DoT, AUSPI has stated that it was imperative for these players to have information on relative reserve prices, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned etc. for all three bands ahead of auctions so that they can decide on the right mix of spectrum in these three spectrum bands and bid accordingly.
In addition, AUSPI has also sought to change rules for the upcoming auctions so that the existing service providers are allowed to bid for a minimum of 1 MHz of spectrum, instead of a block of 5 MHz, in the 900 MHz band, thereby hinting at the interest of dual-technology players to bid for spectrum in this band. The 900 MHz band is considered more efficient than the 1800 MHz band for transmitting radio frequencies as it requires fewer towers to be installed.
According to auction rules laid down in the Notice Inviting Applications, all bidders interested in buying in the 900 MHz band will have to buy a minimum of 5 MHz of spectrum. In the pre-bid auction meet held on December 20, 2013, operators had made similar suggestions to DoT asking it to allow players to bid for 1 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz band.
