Telcos participate in a pre-bid conference for spectrum auctions; queries to be submitted to DoT by January 15, 2021

As per industry sources, telecom operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea participated in pre-bid conference for spectrum auctions. During the pre-bid conference, operators raised queries on aspects such as earnest money deposit and roll-out obligations in the bid document.

Following this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has now directed the telcos to submit written queries regarding the rules and processes by January 15, 2021.

Earlier this month, the DoT had issued notice inviting applications for the forthcoming 4G spectrum auctions in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands. The auctions will start from March 1, 2021, and all companies willing to participate can submit their applications till February 5, 2021.

Last month, the Union Cabinet had approved a proposal for the auction of 2,251.25 MHz of spectrum worth Rs 3.92 trillion at the base price.