Telecom Commission approves TRAI-suggested reserve prices for upcoming spectrum auction

The Telecom Commission has approved the reserve prices recommended by TRAI for the upcoming spectrum auction. The commission has, however, rejected TRAI’s recommendations on easier payment options for operators in the auction. The commission, meanwhile, has stated that spectrum harmonisation will be done before the auction begins. In line with this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked all operators to start the harmonisation process from May 23, 2016 and complete it by June 15, 2016. Once complete, the harmonisation process will make 209 MHz of spectrum available in the 1800 MHz band.