The first day of India's biggest spectrum auction for 72 GHz (gigahertz) airwaves ended with four major telecom firms committing a total of Rs 1.45 trillion ($18.2 billion) for 5G airwaves.

Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said the bid amount exceeded the government’s estimates and added that the auction saw healthy participation between Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, Sunil Mittal’s Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, and a unit of Gautam Adani's flagship Adani Enterprises.

The previous high was Rs 1.09 trillion that the government received in 2015 when it auctioned 4G airwaves and other bands.

In the first-day auction, the operators have committed to buy 48.3 GHz out of the total 72 GHz spectrum available.

Several frequency bands were put up for auction, ranging from low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz), mid (3300 MHz), to high (26 GHz). Among them, the 5G bands 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands attracted strong bids.

Two bands – 600 MHz and 2,300 MHz – saw zero bids.

Four rounds of bidding took place with the first round starting at 10 am and the last ending at 6 pm on Tuesday.&nbsp;The fifth round of the auction will begin on Wednesday.

According to PTI news agency, the number of days the 5G spectrum auction stretches to will depend on the actual demand for radiowaves and the strategy of individual bidders, although the broad industry consensus is that it may last up to two days.

Minister Vaishnaw said the government is expecting to allocate the spectrum in record time so that the 5G services rollout in some Indian cities by September or October. He said that the target is to allocate the spectrum by August 14.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The first day of India's biggest spectrum auction for 72 GHz (gigahertz) airwaves ended with four major telecom firms committing a total of Rs 1.45 trillion ($18.

The first day of India's biggest spectrum auction for 72 GHz (gigahertz) airwaves ended with four major telecom firms committing a total of Rs 1.45 trillion ($18.2 billion) for 5G airwaves. Telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said the bid amount exceeded the government’s estimates and added that the auction saw healthy participation between Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Jio, Sunil Mittal’s Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, and a unit of Gautam Adani's flagship Adani Enterprises. The previous high was Rs 1.09 trillion that the government received in 2015 when it auctioned 4G airwaves and other bands. In the first-day auction, the operators have committed to buy 48.3 GHz out of the total 72 GHz spectrum available. Several frequency bands were put up for auction, ranging from low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz), mid (3300 MHz), to high (26 GHz). Among them, the 5G bands 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands attracted strong bids. Two bands – 600 MHz and 2,300 MHz – saw zero bids. Four rounds of bidding took place with the first round starting at 10 am and the last ending at 6 pm on Tuesday. The fifth round of the auction will begin on Wednesday. According to PTI news agency, the number of days the 5G spectrum auction stretches to will depend on the actual demand for radiowaves and the strategy of individual bidders, although the broad industry consensus is that it may last up to two days. Minister Vaishnaw said the government is expecting to allocate the spectrum in record time so that the 5G services rollout in some Indian cities by September or October. He said that the target is to allocate the spectrum by August 14. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Day 1 of India’s 5G spectrum auction sees bidding worth $18.2 billion, exceeds govt estimates

The Indian Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted a proposal from the Department of Telecommunications to hold a spectrum auction, with successful bidders receiving spectrum to offer 5G services to the public and businesses.The Indian government has given final clearance to a proposal that would allow businesses to allocate airwaves directly to them, allowing them to operate private 5G networks.

According to a government announcement on Wednesday, which also stated that over 72 GHz of spectrum will be auctioned for a 20-year period, 5G services will be available shortly.

"A total of 72097.85 MHz of spectrum with a validity period of 20 years will be put to auction to be held by the end of July, 2022. The auction will be held for spectrum in various Low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz), Mid (3300 MHz) and High (26 GHz) frequency bands," the statement said.

Watch | 5G is critical for India's digital dream

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Telecom service providers are projected to use the mid and high band spectrum to roll out 5G technology-based services capable of providing speeds and capacities that are roughly 10 times better than what is now possible with 4G services.

The administration also stated that the 5G spectrum auction would take place by the end of July. The country's three major carriers, Reliance Industries' (RIL) Jio, Bharti Airtel Ltd, and Vodafone Idea, are expected to participate in the auction (Vi). After ten years, the bidders would have the option to surrender the spectrum with no more obligations for balance instalments.

The government release added that "the reforms include zero Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) on the spectrum acquired in the upcoming auction, providing a significant relief to the service providers in terms of the operating cost of telecom networks." 
&nbsp;

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The Indian Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted a proposal from the Department of Telecommunications to hold a spectrum auction, with successful bidders receiving spectrum to offer 5G services to the public and businesses.

The Indian Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has accepted a proposal from the Department of Telecommunications to hold a spectrum auction, with successful bidders receiving spectrum to offer 5G services to the public and businesses.The Indian government has given final clearance to a proposal that would allow businesses to allocate airwaves directly to them, allowing them to operate private 5G networks. According to a government announcement on Wednesday, which also stated that over 72 GHz of spectrum will be auctioned for a 20-year period, 5G services will be available shortly. "A total of 72097.85 MHz of spectrum with a validity period of 20 years will be put to auction to be held by the end of July, 2022. The auction will be held for spectrum in various Low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz), Mid (3300 MHz) and High (26 GHz) frequency bands," the statement said. Watch | 5G is critical for India's digital dream Telecom service providers are projected to use the mid and high band spectrum to roll out 5G technology-based services capable of providing speeds and capacities that are roughly 10 times better than what is now possible with 4G services. The administration also stated that the 5G spectrum auction would take place by the end of July. The country's three major carriers, Reliance Industries' (RIL) Jio, Bharti Airtel Ltd, and Vodafone Idea, are expected to participate in the auction (Vi). After ten years, the bidders would have the option to surrender the spectrum with no more obligations for balance instalments. The government release added that "the reforms include zero Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC) on the spectrum acquired in the upcoming auction, providing a significant relief to the service providers in terms of the operating cost of telecom networks." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

5G: India to hold spectrum auction in July, mobile connectivity set to get 10 times faster

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5g spectrum-auction

Day 1 of India’s 5G spectrum auction sees bidding worth $18.2 billion, exceeds govt estimates

5G: India to hold spectrum auction in July, mobile connectivity set to get 10 times faster