With aggressive bidding in the 1,800 MHz band, the government received bids worth Rs 610.93 billion on the ninth day of the spectrum auction.

According to MF Farooqui, secretary, Department of Telecommunications, the total bids received by the government are about 27 per cent more than the reserve price of the spectrum put up for auction in the 900 MHz and the 1,800 MHz band.

At the end of the ninth day of the spectrum auction, the government received bids worth Rs 375.02 billion and Rs 235.89 billion, respectively for the spectrum in the 900 MHz and the 1,800 MHz band.

The government continues to witness additional demand for spectrum in the 1,800 MHz band in the Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai circles. In the Madhya Pradesh circle, the price for spectrum in the 1800 MHz band increased by 17 per cent and in the Mumbai circle, the price increased by 31 per cent. So far, the total upfront payments from the ongoing spectrum auction stand at Rs 182.73 billion.