The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will allocate spectrum won by the operators in the third round of spectrum auction in the 1800 MHz band by May 2014.

Since, by and large, spectrum in the 900 MHz band has been retained by the incumbent operators, the remaining spectrum in the band will be reallocated following the expiry of existing licences in November 2014.

Operators including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Idea Cellular, Reliance Jio Infocomm, Aircel, Reliance Communications and Telewings Communications (Uninor) won spectrum in the 1800 MHz band cumulatively for Rs 375.726 billion. Players including Vodafone India, Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular also won spectrum in the 900 MHz band cumulatively for about Rs 235.9 billion.