The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has given its recommendations on the reserve price of spectrum in the 2100 MHz band to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

TRAI has recommended the base price of Rs 27.20 billion per MHz of pan-Indian spectrum in the 2100 MHz band. Meanwhile, the telecom regulator has also reiterated its earlier suggestion that spectrum in the 2100 MHz band should be auctioned along with spectrum in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800MHz bands in February 2015.

TRAI has also recommended that the 15 MHz of spectrum in the 2100 MHz spectrum being vacated by Ministry of Defence, in lieu of spectrum in the 1900 MHz spectrum, should be auctioned as the in-principle agreement has been reached with the ministry. Further, the actual date of spectrum assignment, which does not occur immediately, may be given in the notice inviting applications (NIA).

Further, TRAI has recommended that no bidder be permitted to bid for more than two blocks in a licence service area (LSA) if 3-4 blocks are available in that LSA. Further, the telecom regulator has suggested that telecom operators should be permitted to realign their spectrum holding amongst themselves through mutual agreement.

Earlier in November 2014, DoT had requested TRAI to expedite the process for its recommendations on the reserve price of spectrum in the 2100 MHz band. Thereafter, TRAI issued the respective consultation paper on December 2, 2014, and held discussions with the stakeholders on December 22, 2014.