India consulting on next spectrum auction

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has launched a public consultation on details of the next round of spectrum auctions, including for spectrum to be used for 5G.

The regulator is seeking views on the timing, pricing and amount of spectrum to be sold during the next auctions.

Trai is seeking views on the valuation methodology for 5G spectrum in the 3.3-GHz to 3.6-GHz bands. According to the regulator, the government plans to auction spectrum in the range of 700-MHz to 3.6-GHz in the next auction to be held later this year.

But with operators struggling with high debts accrued from the previous auctions and intense competition triggered by the entry of a new operator, the telecoms industry is opposing any sale of new airwaves before 2019.

Industry body COAI is arguing that the auction should wait until the current wave of consolidation triggered by this new competition draws to a close, and until the 5G technical and regulatory standards are settled.

The consultation also covers proposals on spectrum caps and rollout obligations for 5G spectrum, as well as views on the pricing of the 700-MHz 4G spectrum left unsold during the most recent auction.