TRAI Releases Consultation Paper on Spectrum Auction in High-Frequency Bands

New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken a significant step towards advancing India’s telecom infrastructure by releasing a Consultation Paper on the auction of spectrum in the 37-37.5 GHz, 37.5-40 GHz, and 42.5-43.5 GHz bands, identified for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), on April 4, 2024.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had formally requested TRAI’s recommendations on various aspects of the spectrum auction, including reserve price, band plan, block size, and quantum of spectrum to be auctioned, along with associated conditions. This initiative aligns with India’s broader efforts to enhance its telecommunications ecosystem in line with global standards and technological advancements.

Initially, stakeholders were invited to submit their written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper by May 2, 2024, with a subsequent deadline for counter comments set for May 16, 2024. However, responding to stakeholder requests for more time, TRAI has extended the deadline for both written comments and counter comments to May 16 and May 30, 2024, respectively. TRAI emphasizes that no further extensions will be entertained beyond these dates.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit their comments and counter comments electronically to advmn@trai.gov.in. For any queries or additional information, stakeholders may reach out to Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Network, Spectrum and Licensing), TRAI, at +91-11-23210481.