The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended including nearly 3,000MHz of newly available mmWave spectrum in the upcoming spectrum auction. TRAI believes these airwaves, which have a more mature ecosystem, will attract operator interest. The 37GHz to 40GHz frequency bands are suggested for auction, with a reserve price of INR59.8 million ($683,857) per MHz and a 100MHz block size per region.
TRAI’s suggested reserve prices vary by region, including INR76 million in Delhi, INR67 million in Mumbai, and INR4 million in Himachal Pradesh. The 20-year validity period for the auctioned spectrum would ensure long-term availability for operators.
In the 2022 5G auction, the 2.6GHz band received no bids due to a lack of compatible devices, but TRAI believes the 37GHz to 40GHz range will be well-supported by operators, noting that similar bands are in use in countries like the US. The recommended reserve price is lower than the 26GHz band auctioned in 2022.
TRAI also proposes using the 37.5GHz to 40GHz bands for satellite earth station gateways and suggests a spectrum cap of 40% of the total spectrum to be auctioned. Payment terms will include an upfront option and 20 equal annual installments. The Department of Telecommunication will soon decide on the timing of the auction, which will also include spectrum in up to ten other bands.
