First 5G spectrum auction in India begins with bids from Jio, Airtel, Vi and Adani

The government is selling 10 bands of 72GHz 5G airwaves at a base price of Rs. 4.3 lakh crore.

In India's first ever 5G auction, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, the top two telecoms in the country, began placing bids on Tuesday. Also participating were unaffluent Vodafone Idea and newcomer Adani Data Networks. The auction began at 10 AM and will continue until 6 PM every day.

Low-band (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz,2300 MHz, and 2500 MHz), mid-band (3.3-3.67 GHz), and high-band (26 GHz) airways are attainable at the auction. In addition to lowering pay terms and other measures to encourage bidding government had eliminated the spectrum usage charges(SUC) in the next auctions.

The government is selling 10 bands of 72GHz 5G airwaves at a base price of Rs. 4.3 lakh crore. The sale is anticipated to last only a day and a half at most due to the large amount of spectrum available and the small number of significant bidders-Jio and Airtel.

In terms of bidding plan of action , Vodafone Idea is anticipated to be more cautious and is likely to pursue 50 units of C-band (3.33-3.67 GHz) in important areas, 550 units of 26GHz in metros, A and B circles, and top-ups in the 900/1800 MHz bands.

Jio is anticipated to target 100-C band( 3.3-3.67GHz) units across India, 800-1,150 units of 26 GHz mmWaves across India, as well as some portions of the 800 MHz band, with an earnest money deposit(EMD) of Rs 14,000 crore. 330 units of 700 MHz airwaves across India are another expectation among analysts for Jio. In that case, after going unsold in two prior auctions due to its exorbitant base price, the band will finally be sold.

Airtel is expected to purchase 100-c band pan-Indian units, 800-1,150, 26 GHz units, and top-ups in the 900/1800/2300 MHz bands.

While the newcomer Adani Data Network plans on spending not more than 1,000 crore on 100cheap 26 GHz spectrum units for captive usage exclusively for selected circles.