DoT postpones spectrum auction by two weeks due to LS polls

The Lok Sabha elections are set to take place from April 19 to June 1.

The Department of Telecom on April 3 postponed the auction of spectrum by two weeks due to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The auction will now take place after two weeks on June 6, which is just two days after the election results are announced, according to the amended Notice Inviting Application issued by the department.

The Lok Sabha elections are set to take place from April 19 to June 1.

Though the auction, the government plans to assign right to radio spectrum frequencies in the bands of 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz. It is likely to deliver Rs 96,300 crore to the government if the bands are sold at the base price.

According to NIA, only the date of auction has been revised. All the other clauses of the auction remain as it is, the department said. Moreover, all the previously unsold spectrum and the ones available due to the closure of operations will be available in this round of auction.

The spectrum acquired through this auction won't attract any spectrum usage charge and owner will have rights over the bands for a period of 20 years. The last date for submission of application is April 22 and a mock auction will be held on June 3.