The Indian DoT has released the guidelines for Telecom Spectrum auction in 1800 MHz band and 800 MHz band as required by the recent Supreme Court Order which had cancelled 122 Telecom Licenses in India.
Here are the main guidelines of the DoT’s Order No 3-12/2012-Fin/Auction,
- Spectrum in Both 800 MHz and 1800 MHz bands will be auctioned
- Auction open to existing UASL, CMTS and Unified licensees. Licensees whose licenses were quashed by the SC Order will be treated as new entrants / bidders
- Block Size fixed at 1.25 MHz
- A Minimum of 8 Blocks of 1.25 MHz will be made available in 1800 MHz Band with a further scope of 3 more blocks subject to spectrum being vacated. Existing Operators can bid for only 2 Blocks while new operators need to bid for minimum of 4 blocks.
- A minimum of 3 blocks of 1.25 MHz will be made available in 800 MHz Band with a further scope of 3 more blocks. Existing Operators can bid for only 1 Block while new operators need to bid for minimum of 2 blocks.
- Spectrum auctioned will be liberalized. [ Exactly what I had recommended]
- Spectrum shall be valid for 20 years