TRAI recommends auction of all available bands

The TRAI recommendations also said that considering the importance of the 6 GHz (upper) band, it should be kept reserved for IMT | Photo Credit: PRASHANT NAKWE

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday released recommendations on the auction of radio frequency spectrum in the bands identified for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). It proposed lower entry barriers for new players and a uniform 35 per cent spectrum cap to safeguard competition in the telecom sector.

It has recommended auction for the entire available spectrum in the 600 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands in the forthcoming auction.

A uniform spectrum cap of 35 per cent has been recommended across low, mid and high-frequency bands including 600 MHz, sub-1 GHz bands, 1800-2500 MHz bands, 3300 MHz, 26 GHz and 37-40 GHz, with no requirement for operators already exceeding the cap to surrender existing holdings.

“DoT (Department of Telecommunications) should immediately initiate action for taking back the spectrum held with the telecom service providers, which are engaged in corporate insolvency resolution process under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, and such spectrum should be put to auction in the forthcoming spectrum auction,” it said.

The spectrum in the frequency bands identified for IMT should be auctioned on Telecom Circle/ Metro area basis with a validity period of 20 years, it said adding that Simultaneous Multiple Round Auction (SMRA)-based spectrum auction should also be continued.

The TRAI recommendations also said that considering the importance of the 6 GHz (upper) band, it should be kept reserved for IMT. However, it also noted that the available frequency ranges in the 6 GHz (upper) band, viz 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz should not be put to auction in the forthcoming auction. The issue of auctioning the spectrum in the 6 GHz (upper) band should be re-examined after considering the outcome of WRC-27, it added.

TRAI’s reserve prices

Circle wise, for Andhra Pradesh, TRAI’s reserve prices will range from ₹233 crore to ₹20 crore, with spectrum available from 600 MHz band to 3,300 MHz band; and ₹43 lakh for the 26 GHz band.

For Assam, the reserve prices will range from ₹52 crore to ₹4 crore, in spectrum from 600 MHz band to 3,300 MHz band; and ₹8 lakh for the 26 GHz band.

For Bihar, the reserve prices will range from ₹133 crore to ₹10 crore, in the 600 MHz band to 3,300 MHz band; and ₹21 lakh for the 26 GHz band.

For Delhi, the reserve prices will range from ₹441 crore to ₹34 crore, in the 600 MHz to 3,300 MHz band; and ₹71 lakh for the 26 GHz band.

TRAI said for 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz spectrum bands, there will be two payment options -- full or part upfront payment – and 20 equal annual instalments option.

For the 600 MHz spectrum band also there will be two options -- full or part upfront payment option – and 5 per cent upfront payment of the bid amount within 10 calendar days from the issuance of Demand Note.

“The buyer should be given a moratorium period of four years (no payment is required to be made from the second year to the 5th year), and the balance amount should be payable in equal annual instalments over the remaining 19 years’ period (starting from the beginning of the 6th year), payable in advance at the beginning of each year, after the period of moratorium, duly protecting the net present value (NPV) of the bid amount at the applicable rate of interest,” TRAI added.

Published on February 24, 2026