Spectrum auction: Key takeaways of Day 7

On the seventh day of the spectrum auction, the total bid value exceeded Rs 56,000 crore. In some circles the bid prices jumped two-three times the reserve price.

In 2010, the government had sold 5 megahertz of third-generation spectrum for Rs 3,316.93 crore.

The auction started with expectations of rational bidding, however, after 42 rounds, the price quoted for 900 MHz band has been running into Rs 3,668.15 crore. The demand for 1800 MHz band is somewhat subdued due to higher volume of radio waves available for sale.

The key takeaways of the spectrum auction on Day 7 courtesy: JM Financial Report

*The day saw a fairly aggressive bidding and price increase for 1800 MHz spectrum in Delhi circle. The provisional winning price is now 58 percent ahead of the reserve price. On Day 6, it was 38 percent up.

*For 900 MHz in Delhi circle, price increase was marginal. The provisional winning price is now 106 percent above the reserve price. This is quite high from JM Financial’s estimate of 22 percent premium over the reserve price. On Day 6, it was 104 percent up. At current provisional winning price, 5 MHz block of 900 spectrum would cost Rs 3,705 crore in Delhi, said the report.

*There was no hike in provisional winning price for 900 MHz spectrum in Mumbai circle on Day 7. It was 72 percent up the reserve price and 5MHz block would cost Rs 2816 crore in Mumbai.

*Provisional winning price for Delhi circle, which was Rs 3,705 crore for 5 MHz block in 900 MHz category, is now 12 percent more than 5 MHz block of 3G-2100 spectrum price paid in 2010 -- Rs 3,317 crore.

*At the end of Day 7, the provisional winning price for pan-India 1800 MHz spectrum was 22 percent above the reserve price. On day 6, it was 17 percent up.

*Provisional winning price premium in 1800 MHz for Gujarat was up 61 percent, UP (W) was up 53 percent and Assam jumped 285 percent. On day 6, it was up 50 percent, 47 percent and 201 percent, respectively for the three circles.

*Excess demand was seen in circles of Maharashtra, MP and Assam.