The spectrum auction, conducted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) started on June 25, 2024 and concluded after seven rounds on June 26, 2024.

A total quantum of 141.4 MHz (26.5 per cent) from the balance 533.6 MHz spectrum of worth Rs 113.4 billion was sold.

As auction for 5G spectrum was held recently and 5G monetisation is still in progress, no bidding took place in 800MHz, 2300MHz, 3300MHz and 26GHz bands. Meanwhile, all the available spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands were put to auction. In 2024, auction has seen activity in 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2500 MHz bands.

All the three telecom service providers (TSPs), including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited and Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi) have successfully bid and taken spectrum in this auction also for growth and continuity of services.

Airtel and Vi have successfully renewed their expired spectrum in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands and further an additional quantum of 87.2 MHz worth Rs 61.64 billion has been acquired by TSPs to augment their services.

According to Airtel, it has acquired 97 MHz spectrum, spending a total of Rs 68.57 billion in the spectrum auctions. Additionally, it has purchased spectrum to boost its mid band spectrum holding across select circles. Following the 2024 spectrum auctions, Airtel will continue to enjoy the largest mid-band spectrum pool in the country. The purchase is in line with the company’s stated strategy to build a large pool of mid-band holdings to deliver seamless 4G and 5G services across the country. Meanwhile, Airtel’s subsidiary Bharti Hexacomm has acquired 15 MHz of spectrum with an outlay of Rs 10.01 billion.

In addition, Jio has acquired additional spectrum in the 1800 MHz band in Bihar and West Bengal circles, spending Rs 9.73 billion, in a bid to address geography-specific demand and ensure the quality of service. With the spectrum auctions, Jio’s spectrum footprint increased to 26,801 MHz (Uplink + Downlink), solidifying its leadership position. Further, Jio acquired 5 MHz in Bihar and 9.4 MHz in West Bengal in the 1800 MHz technology-agnostic band for 20 years, spending Rs 4.2 billion and Rs 5.53 billion respectively. As per the terms of the auction, the spectrum cost can be paid over 20 annual instalments, at 8.65 per cent interest per annum.

Moreover, Jio is the only operator in India to have access in low-band, mid-band, and high-band (700 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26GHz) spectrum which gives it the unique advantage to provide a superlative experience to customers on 5G.

Commenting on the development, Akash M Ambani, chairman, Jio, said, “We have already demonstrated our commitment to the Digital India Vision by rolling out one of the world’s fastest and widest standalone (SA) 5G networks within 12 months of allotment of spectrum. This new spectrum acquisition will continue to enable us serving aspirations of the new India, in terms of growing traffic demands and superior customer experience, which is no longer limited to only urban markets. We want every Indian to enjoy the transformational benefits of Jio’s next generation of digital solutions.”

According to Vi, it has spent Rs 35.1 billion to acquire 30 MHz of spectrum in 11 circles to strengthen its 4G portfolio as well as launch 5G services, making it the second largest spender after Airtel for airwaves. Vi also bought mid-band 5G spectrum (3300 MHz band) in its 17 priority circles and mmWave 5G spectrum (26 GHz band) in 16 circles. In addition, in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu (excluding Chennai), Punjab and large parts of Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh (East), 4G on sub-GHz 900 band will be offered for the first time, improving coverage and user experience. Meanwhile, Vi acquired 1800 MHz spectrum in Madhya Pradesh and 2500 MHz spectrum in Bihar, which will help it in increasing network capacity quickly.

Furthermore, the unsold spectrum will again be put to auction next time.