Spectrum auction day 4: 3G gains momentum

OPPO N3 smartphone3G spectrum is gaining demand from Indian telecom network operators, said Prashant Singhal, global telecom leader of EY.

“Nearly half of 3G spectrum put up for auction is witnessing traction, though not over any premium. The operators are clearly looking to plug the coverage gap in their 3G footprint,” said Prashant Singhal responding on the day 4 of the spectrum auction.

Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone, Reliance Communications are the leading 3G telecom operators in India.

The India government has received cumulative commitments of Rs 63,500 crore from telecom network operators at the end of bidding on Wednesday — Day 4 of India’s biggest spectrum auction.

Spectrum Auction 2016 Daily Public Report: End of day 5

Spectrum, service area, provisional winning price in INR crore per block after round 23

800 MHz

Gujarat 419.31
Punjab 161.00
Rajasthan 285.70
Uttar Pradesh (East) 273.75

1800 MHz

Andhra Pradesh 48.60
Assam 8.00
Bihar 12.40
Delhi 79.80
Gujarat 47.60
Haryana 9.86
Himachal Pradesh 3.20
Jammu & Kashmir 2.60
Kerala 16.60
Kolkata 30.23
Madhya Pradesh 16.60
Maharashtra 63.60
Mumbai 93.13
North East 2.20
Punjab 15.40
Rajasthan 18.38
Uttar Pradesh (East) 25.61
Uttar Pradesh (West) 20.06
West Bengal 9.20

2100 MHz

Bihar 430.00
Delhi 2770.00
Haryana 275.00
Jammu & Kashmir 55.00
Kerala 885.00
Maharashtra 1705.00
Odisha 190.00
Punjab 455.00
Rajasthan 700.00
Tamil Nadu 1720.00
Uttar Pradesh (East) 550.00

2300 MHz

Andhra Pradesh 683.40
Assam 20.00
Bihar 61.50
Delhi 1430.00
Gujarat 611.88
Himachal Pradesh 10.00
Karnataka 980.00
Kerala 175.67
Kolkata 330.00
Madhya Pradesh 82.00
Maharashtra 630.61
Mumbai 1460.00
North East 10.00
Odisha 40.00
Tamil Nadu 1320.00
West Bengal 50.00

2500 MHz

Andhra Pradesh 680.00
Assam 20.00
Bihar 60.00
Delhi 1430.00
Gujarat 390.00
Haryana 80.00
Himachal Pradesh 10.00
Jammu & Kashmir 10.00
Kerala 160.80
Kolkata 330.00
Madhya Pradesh 80.00
Maharashtra 580.00
Mumbai 1460.00
North East 10.00
Odisha 40.00
Punjab 210.00
Rajasthan 60.00
Uttar Pradesh (East) 90.00
Uttar Pradesh (West) 120.00
West Bengal 50.00

While there were no takers for 700 MHz and 900 MHz bands at the auction for the fourth day running, major activity was seen in the 1,800 MHz band, according to data released by the Department of Telecommunications.

There were six fresh rounds of bidding with the total rounds now standing at 23 after four days.

Day three had seen Rs 60,969 crore cumulative commitments from telecom operators after 17 rounds of bidding. The additional amount raised on the fourth day was Rs 2,531 crore.”

“Nearly half of 3G spectrum put up for auction is witnessing traction, though not over any premium. The operators are clearly looking to plug the coverage gap in their 3G footprint,” said Prashant Singhal, Global Telecom Leader, EY.

Some hectic activity was observed in 2,300 MHz, while 800 MHz, 2,100 MHz and 2,500 MHz saw lukewarm response.

According to official sources, 956.8 MHz of total spectrum has been sold so far out of a total 2,354 MHz of spectrum that the government has put up for auctioning.

The companies participating in the auction are Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Reliance Jio Infocomm, Reliance Communications, Idea Cellular, Aircel and Tata Tele — who have together furnished a total earnest money of Rs 14,653 crore.

Surprisingly, the 700 MHz band, meant predominantly for 4G (LTE) services which will support broadband data, as well as Internet Protocol telephony such as voice over LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network — measures that can bring major cost benefits to customers — went without bids.

In the Delhi circle, the reserve price for 700 MHz is pegged at Rs 1,595 crore per MHz — which is the highest — and for pan-India, it is Rs 11,485 crore per MHz.

The airwaves on the block for telecom operators are in seven bands — 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz and 2,500 MHz.

IANS