The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on ‘the Auction of Radio Frequency Spectrum in the Frequency Bands Identified for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)’. Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through a letter dated May 15, 2025 sent a reference to TRAI under the terms of clause 11(1)(a) of the TRAI act 1997 for seeking TRAI’s recommendations for the auction of radio frequency spectrum in the frequency bands identified for IMT.

Through the reference dated May 15, 2025, DoT informed, inter-alla, as below:

  • In response to DoT’s reference dated August 2, 2023 on auction of radio frequency (RF) spectrum in the 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, 26 GHz and 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands, TRAI had provided its recommendations on September 1, 2023. Based on the TRAI’s recommendations, the government conducted auction of spectrum in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands during June 2024.
  • In the auction held in 2024, the 600 MHz band was not put to auction considering that this band was not sold in the auction held during 2022, the equipment ecosystem has not yet fully developed for this band and only a few countries have deployed 600 MHz in their public network. In the ITU Radio Regulations also, this band has not been identified at the regional or global level for IMT. Therefore, DOT has decided to seek fresh recommendations of TRAI before putting this band for auction.
  • Out of the total 700 MHz spectrum in the 6425-7125 MHz range, only 400 MHz spectrum in two fragmented chunks at 6425-6725 MHz (300 MHz) and 7025-7 125 MHz (100 MHz) are immediately available for auction, and remaining 300 MHz in the 6725-7025 MHz frequency range will be available by December 2030. In view of this, appropriate time for the auction of 6 GHz is required to be explored considering the less developed ecosystem and availability of only 400 MHz spectrum in a fragmented manner.
  • A total of 687 MHz of spectrum is to be re-farmed for IMT based services.

DoT has also provided licensed service area (LSA)-wise quantum of spectrum available with the government in the existing and new IMT bands, through the reference. Through the reference dated May 15, 2025, DoT, under the terms of clause 11(1)(a) of the TRAI act 1997, requested TRAI to:

  • Provide recommendations on applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in the existing bands viz. 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, 26 GHz bands.
  • Explore the possibilities of auction and timing of auction for the newly identified 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz bands. Accordingly, provide recommendations on timing of auction, applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in these bands.
  • Re-examine and provide fresh recommendations for the auction of spectrum in the 600 MHz band.
  • Provide any other recommendations deemed fit for the purpose of spectrum auction in these frequency bands, including the regulatory/technical requirements as enunciated in the relevant provisions of the latest NFAP/Radio Regulations of the ITU.

TRAI examined the Reference dated May 15, 2025, and through a letter dated June 19, 2025, sought certain additional information! clarifications from DoT. In response, DoT, through a letter dated August 14, 2025, provided the requisite information clarification. Importantly, through the letter dated August 14, 2025, DoT requested TRAI to recommend a possible band plan for the 67 MHz spectrum between 1427-15 18 MHz considering the need to assign a continuous 24 MHz block to the Government user.

In this regard, a consultation paper on ‘Auction of Radio Frequency Spectrum in the Frequency Bands Identified for IMT’ has been placed on the TRAI’s website for seeking comments and counter-comments from stakeholders. Written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by October 28, 2025 and counter comments by November 11, 2025.