The Department of Telecom (DoT) has successfully completed the assignment of frequencies to successful bidders of the Spectrum Auction 2021. The frequency assignment letters were issued to successful bidders on 16 April 2021.
The frequency assignment was accompanied by a frequency harmonisation exercise whereby spectrum blocks assigned to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in the current spectrum auction have been made contiguous with the spectrum blocks already held by them, wherever possible, in various bands in different Licensed Service Areas (LSAs).
The harmonisation of spectrum was accomplished in 19 LSAs in 800 MHz band, eight LSAs in 900 MHz band, 21 LSAs in 1800 MHz band, three LSAs in 2100 MHz band, and 16 LSAs in 2300 MHz band.
The harmonisation exercise facilitates more efficient utilisation of spectrum held by TSPs, leading to improved Quality of Service for consumers.
As a part of the frequency assignment, the government has also accepted the request of two TSPs –Bharti and Reliance Jio, for assignment of immediately available unsold spectrum blocks in place of spectrum blocks in the same band and LSA assigned to them from later dates.
An amount of Rs 2,306.97 crore (Rs 157.38 crore from Bharti and Rs 2,149.59 crore from Reliance Jio) has been received immediately by the government, rather than in August/September 2021.
A total quantity of 855.60 MHz of spectrum in 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2300 MHz bands was acquired by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in the Spectrum Auction 2021, conducted on 1 March 2021 and 2 March 2021.
The total amount payable by the successful bidders for the total quantity of spectrum acquired is Rs 77,820.81 crore. Of this, an amount of Rs 21,918.47 crore was received as upfront payment from the TSPs on 18 March, 2021, as per terms and conditions of the Notice Inviting Applications.
