The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will seek the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI)  recommendations on pricing of 3G and 4G spectrum, which is also likely to be put up for sale in the auctions in February 2015.

Earlier, DoT had stated that only spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands will be auctioned in February 2015. However, the Ministry of Finance has insisted that spectrum in the 2100 MHz , 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands should also to be put up for sale in the auctions. Therefore, DoT is considering selling at least 5 MHz of spectrum in the 2100 MHz band and 20-40 MHz each in the 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands.

For the spectrum sale in 2100 MHz band, DoT needs to resolve the spectrum swap issue with the defence forces as the defence ministry is yet to vacate the frequency airwaves in the 2100 MHz band. The defence ministry had earlier agreed to surrender 15 MHz of spectrum in the 2100 MHz band if DoT honours its commitment under the 2009 agreement. As per the agreement, DoT is required to set up an alternative telecom network for the defence forces.