Telecom auctions start today; 700 MHz premium may go unsold yet again

The premium band is considered ideal for internal coverage but went unsold in the 2016 auctions. TRAI in its recommendations in August 2018 reduced the price by 40%

The telecom spectrum auctions that began on Monday, after a hiatus of nearly five years, may once again witness the premium 700 MHz band getting unsold.
 

It is learnt that the 700 MHz spectrum, the base price for which was revised downward by the Telecom Regulatory AUthority of India (TRAI), may not find any takers.
 

"The earnest money deposited by the three telecom companies is an indicator that none of them would be interested in buying the 700 MHz band," an official in the know said.
 

The premium band is considered ideal for internal coverage but went unsold in the