The government has received bids worth an estimated Rs 600 billion in the six rounds concluded on the first day of spectrum auctions. Eight telecom operators including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Idea Cellular, Reliance Communications, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, Aircel, Telewings Communications and Tata Teleservices Limited are participating in these auctions.

Significant demand was witnessed for spectrum in the 900 MHz spectrum bands, especially in the Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (West) circles. Meanwhile, the 1800 MHz band also saw aggresive bidding in the Northeast, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh. Highest demand for the spectrum in the 800 MHZ band was witnessed in the Northeast circle. However, there was minimal demand from operators for spectrum in the 2100 MHz band.

The government has put up 103.75 MHz in 800 MHz band, 177.8 MHz in 900 MHz band, 99.2 MHz in 1800 MHz band, and 85 MHz in the 2100 MHz band for the ongoing auctions. Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone India and Reliance Communications have to win back spectrum to continue to offer telecom services as their licences are due to expire in 2015-16. Idea Cellular’s licences in nine circles will expire while RCOM’s seven permits will become invalid in 2015-16. Further, Bharti Airtel’s and Vodafone India’s permits will be due for renewal in six and seven circles respectively.