The government will reportedly allot spectrum without an auction to Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi). The decision is being taken due to a shortage of time to conduct the sale of airwaves.
As per industry sources, six licences of Airtel and Vi in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh (East) and West Bengal are going to expire in February and March 2024. Both telcos will be allotted spectrum for a period of three months and will have to pay the reserve price of the allotted airwaves. The two telcos will have to pay the full price of the spectrum after the conclusion of the auction in March 2024.
All unsold spectrum from the August 2022 auction, except the 600 MHz, will be put on sale again. The airwaves in 600 MHz are likely to be sold in future auctions.
