RF Spectrum Auction TRAI Recco Released
Scope of Auction
·
Entire available spectrum in 600 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100
MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands to be auctioned.
·
Spectrum validity: 20 years.
·
Auction format: Simultaneous Multiple Round Auction (SMRA).
·
Eligibility conditions from NIA 2024 retained.
·
Net-worth requirement reduced for new entrants (Rs. 50 crore per LSA; Rs. 25 crore for J&K
& North East).
Band-Specific Recommendations
·
Existing band plans (800–26 GHz) to continue.
·
Rollout obligations same as NIA 2024.
·
600 MHz band:
o Block size: 2 × 5 MHz.
o Validity extended to 24 years.
o Rollout obligations delayed by 4 years.
o Flexible payment option with 5% upfront,
4-year moratorium, balance over 19 years.
Spectrum Caps
·
35% cap across all bands (600 MHz, 700–900 MHz, 1800–2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, 26 GHz,
37–40 GHz).
·
No surrender required if TSP already exceeds cap.
6 GHz & 1427–1518 MHz Bands
·
6 GHz upper band (6425–6725 MHz, 7025–7125 MHz) reserved for IMT; not auctioned now.
·
Re-examination after WRC-27.
·
Trials recommended near satellite uplink stations.
·
1427–1518 MHz: band plan to be re-examined; ensure contiguous 67 MHz block for IMT after
allocating 24 MHz to government.
Competition & Demand Measures
·
Reconsider unbundling of network layers (Access Network Provider license).
·
Expedite introduction of DCIP and CTN authorisations.
·
Set aside spectrum in TDD bands for ISPs, M2M providers, CNPNs.
Coverage Expansion Incentives
·
Scheme to reduce spectrum cost (up to 10%) if TSPs deploy new base stations
in uncovered areas.
·
Mandatory site sharing to ensure multi-operator coverage.
Reserve Prices & Payment Options
·
Detailed reserve prices per MHz for 20 years across LSAs.
·
Payment options:
o Full/part upfront.
o 20 annual instalments (for most bands).
o Special deferred option for 600 MHz band.
Valuation Periodicity
·
Fresh valuation every 3 years.
·
Interim auctions to use indexed past prices or earlier reserve prices.
·
DoT may seek fresh reserve prices with justification.
[ABS News Sevice/25.02.2026]
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
(TRAI) has released Recommendations on the Auction of Radio Frequency Spectrum
in the Frequency Bands Identified for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)
on 24 February, 2026.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
through its letter No. L-14006/01/2025-IMT dated 15.05.2025, requested TRAI to provide
recommendations under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended) on the
applicable reserve price, band plan, block size, quantum of spectrum to be auctioned,
and associated conditions for auction of spectrum in the existing bands viz. 800
MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz. DoT also
sought TRAI’s recommendations on the feasibility and timing of auction of the newly
identified 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz bands, as well as fresh recommendations
on the auction of spectrum in the 600 MHz band. Subsequently, DoT, through its letter
dated 14.08.2025, requested TRAI to recommend a possible band plan for the 67 MHz
spectrum between 1427-1518 MHz considering the need to assign a continuous 24 MHz
block to the Government user.
In this regard, TRAI issued a consultation
paper on the Auction of Radio Frequency Spectrum in the Frequency Bands Identified
for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) on 30.09.2025 for seeking comments
and counter comments from stakeholders on the issues raised in the consultation
paper. Initially, the last dates for furnishing comments and counter comments were
28.10.2025 and 11.11.2025, respectively. However, considering the request of industry
associations and stakeholders, the last dates for furnishing written comments and
counter comments were extended to 04.11.2025 and 18.11.2025, respectively.
In response to the issues raised in the
consultation paper, 19 stakeholders furnished comments, and 12 stakeholders furnished
counter comments. As part of the consultation process, TRAI conducted an open house
discussion (OHD) on the consultation paper through virtual mode on 12.12.2025.
Based on the comments received from stakeholders
during the consultation process, and further analysis, TRAI has finalized its Recommendations
on the Auction of Radio Frequency Spectrum in the Frequency Bands Identified for
International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). Salient points of the recommendations
are given below:
A. Recommendations on auction of frequency
bands identified for IMT
a. Entire available spectrum in the 600 MHz,
800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz frequency
bands should be put to auction in the forthcoming auction.
b. DoT should immediately initiate action
for taking back the spectrum held with the telecom service providers, which are
engaged in corporate insolvency resolution process under Insolvency and Bankruptcy
Code, 2016, and such spectrum should be put to auction in the forthcoming spectrum
auction.
c. The spectrum in the frequency bands identified
for IMT should be auctioned on Telecom Circle/ Metro Area basis with a validity
period of 20 years.
d. Simultaneous Multiple Round Auction (SMRA)-based
spectrum auction should be continued.
e. For participation in the forthcoming spectrum
auction, the eligibility conditions, as prescribed in Notice Inviting Application
(NIA) 2024, should be continued for all frequency bands identified for IMT i.e.
authorisation for access service.
f. The net-worth requirement should be reduced
from Rs. 100 crore per Licensed Service Area to Rs. 50 crore per Licensed Service
Area (for Jammu & Kashmir and North East Licensed Service Areas from Rs. 50
crore to Rs. 25 crore each) for new entrants in the forthcoming
auction of IMT spectrum.
g. To the extent possible, the TSPs should
be assigned spectrum in a contiguous manner and DoT should carry out harmonization
exercise immediately after conducting the auction, and such exercise should be completed
within a time frame of not more than six months from the date of conclusion of the
auction.
B. Recommendations specific to existing bands
viz. 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26
GHz bands
h. Band plans already adopted for the existing
frequency bands, viz. 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz,
3300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands in India, should be continued in the forthcoming auction.
a. Block Size and minimum bid quantity for
the existing bands:
|
Spectrum Band |
Block Size (MHz) |
Minimum amount of spectrum that a bidder is required
to bid for |
|
|
Existing licensees (MHz) |
New Entrants (MHz) |
||
|
800 MHz |
1.25 (Paired) |
1.25 |
5, 1.25 (where less than 5 MHz is available) |
|
900 MHz |
0.20 (paired) |
0.2 |
5, 0.2 (where less than 5 MHz is available) |
|
1800 MHz |
0.20 (paired) |
0.2 |
5, 0.2 (where less than 5 MHz is available) |
|
2100 MHz |
5 (paired) |
5 |
5 |
|
2300 MHz |
10 (unpaired) |
10 |
10 |
|
2500 MHz |
10 (unpaired) |
10 |
10 |
|
3300 MHz |
10 (unpaired) |
10 |
10 |
|
26 GHz |
50 (unpaired) |
50 |
100 |
Note: Any existing Access Service authorisation
holder should be treated as a ‘New Entrant’ in the LSA(s) for the frequency bands
in which it does not presently hold spectrum.
j. The rollout obligations for the existing
frequency bands viz. 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300
MHz, and 26 GHz bands should be the same as those prescribed for respective frequency
bands in the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) 2024.
C. Recommendations on spectrum cap
k. The spectrum cap has been recommended
as below:
i. A spectrum cap of 35% on the total spectrum
available for access services in the 600 MHz band (rounded off considering the block
size in the 600 MHz band)
ii. A spectrum cap of 35% on the combined
spectrum available for access services (including the spectrum assigned to private
TSPs, and the spectrum assigned to/ reserved for PSU operators - for providing access
services) in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands
iii. A spectrum cap of 35% on the combined
spectrum available for access services (including the spectrum assigned to private
TSPs, and the spectrum assigned to/ reserved for PSU operators - for providing access
services) in 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands
iv. A spectrum cap of 35% on the total spectrum
available for access services (including the spectrum assigned to private TSPs,
and the spectrum assigned to/ reserved for PSU operators - for providing access
services) in 3300 MHz band (rounded off considering the block size in this band)
v. A spectrum cap of 35% on the total spectrum
available for access services (including the spectrum assigned to private TSPs,
and the spectrum assigned to/ reserved for PSU operators - for providing access
services) in 26 GHz band (rounded off considering the block size in this band)
vi. A spectrum cap of 35% on the total spectrum
available for access services (including the spectrum assigned to private TSPs,
and the spectrum assigned to/ reserved for PSU operators - for providing access
services) in 37-40 GHz band (rounded off considering the block size in this band).
xx. In line with the provision of NIA 2024,
in case a TSP has already acquired spectrum that exceeds the spectrum cap of 35%,
the TSP should not be asked to surrender right to use of any spectrum which it already
holds.
D. Recommendations specific to the 600 MHz
band
l. Frequency band n105 (600 MHz band) should
be auctioned with a block size of 2 x 5 MHz, and the minimum number of blocks for
bidding should be one.
n. While the spectrum charge may be levied
for a period of 20 years, the validity period of the spectrum should be increased
by four years, i.e., the usual 20 years plus 4 years.
o. The rollout obligations for the spectrum
in the 600 MHz band should be the same as that appliable for other sub-1 GHz bands.
However, it should be delayed by four years, i.e., no rollout obligations for the
initial four years, and the applicable rollout obligations should begin after an
initial period of four years.
p. In addition to the upfront payment option,
an additional payment option should be made available for the spectrum in the 600
MHz band, as given below:
‘5% upfront payment of the bid amount within
10 calendar days from the issuance of Demand Note. The buyer should be given a moratorium
period of four years (i.e. no payment is required to be made from the 2nd
year to the 5th year), and the balance amount should be payable in equal
annual instalments over the remaining 19 years’ period (starting from the beginning
of the 6th year), payable in advance at the beginning of each year, after
the period of moratorium, duly protecting the Net Present Value (NPV) of the bid
amount at the applicable rate of interest.’
E. Recommendations on the 6 GHz band (6425-6725
MHz and 7025-7125 MHz)
q. Considering the importance of the 6 GHz
(upper) band, it should be kept reserved for IMT.
r. The available frequency ranges in the
6 GHz (upper) band, viz. 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz should not be put to auction
in the forthcoming auction. The issue of auctioning the spectrum in the 6 GHz (upper)
band should be re-examined after considering the outcome of WRC-27.
s. DoT may carry out a plan (involving all
TSPs) to conduct trials around all 34 locations where satellite uplink stations
are located in the relevant frequencies (in-band and adjacent frequencies) to determine
the requirement of the keep-out distance of IMT base stations from satellite uplink
stations. The outcome of the trials may also be shared with TRAI.
F. Recommendations on 1427-1518 MHz band
t. The matter relating to the adoption of
an appropriate band plan for 1427-1518 MHz frequency range should be re-examined
after the Government decides to put this band to auction.
u. DoT may explore the possibility of taking
up the matter with the regional and global standardization bodies for the creation
of a suitable band plan for utilizing the frequency range for 1427-1518 MHz for
Supplementary Uplink (SUL). The action taken and the outcome of the same may be
shared with the Authority.
v. While allocating a 24 MHz block to the
Government user, DoT should ensure that a contiguous 67 MHz block is available for
IMT services.
G. Recommendation for strengthening competition
and demand
w. TRAI’s earlier recommendations with respect
to the creation of a separate authorization under Unified License for Access Network
Provider (network layer) to provide network services on a wholesale basis, recommended
through the Recommendations dated 19.08.2021 on “Enabling Unbundling of Different
Layers Through Differential Licensing”, should be reconsidered for strengthening
competition.
x. Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider
(DCIP) authorisation and Cloud-hosted Telecom Network (CTN) Provider authorisations,
proposed by DoT in the draft “Telecommunications (Authorisation for Telecommunication
Network) Rules, 2025” dated 09.10.2025 should be expeditiously introduced under
the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
y. Certain quantum of spectrum in the Time
Division Duplexing (TDD)-based frequency bands (identified for IMT such as 2300
MHz/ 2500 MHz/ 3300 MHz/ 26 GHz/ 37-40 GHz bands should be set aside for Internet
Service Providers (ISPs), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) providers and Captive Non-Public
Networks (CNPNs).
z. After identification of suitable IMT frequency
band(s) to be set aside for ISPs, M2M providers and CNPNs, DoT should send a reference
to TRAI for seeking recommendations on the terms and conditions including reserve
price for assignment of such spectrum.
H. Recommendations on the scheme to incentivise
access service providers to expand their mobile network coverage
a. The following scheme should be launched
so that access service providers are incentivized to expand their mobile network
coverage in the areas which have no mobile network coverage and are not covered
under the schemes of Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) [renamed as Digital
Bharat Nidhi (DBN)]. The broad contours of the scheme are given below:
i. Once the spectrum auction is concluded,
the successful bidders of the spectrum should be permitted to opt for a reduction
in the spectrum cost [upto 10% of the auction determined
price (ADP)]. This option should be available for all Licensed Service Areas and
for all frequency bands.
ii. In lieu of the reduction in the spectrum
cost, the TSP should deploy new unique base stations sites to provide mobile broadband
services (using 4G/ 5G technologies) using the spectrum in any of its frequency
bands (existing/ newly acquired) at the locations identified by DoT (coverage holes)
within a specific period of say one year from the date of identification of such
locations.
iii. The number of unique base stations sites
to be deployed may be worked out by dividing the reduction in the spectrum cost
by the estimated cost of deploying a new base station site. For estimation of the
cost of deploying a new base station site, one of the options could be to consider
the cost of site (capex + opex for five years) as estimated
under the latest USOF (DBN) projects. In case DoT is of the view that the cost under
USOF (DBN) projects is on a higher side, the same may be rationalized to make it
more realistic for a pan-India scenario.
iv. For the base stations sites so deployed,
mandatory site sharing at a reasonable and non-discriminatory price should also
be prescribed to ensure that coverage of multiple TSPs is available in such areas.
v. In case a licensed service area is found
to have fewer coverage holes and thereby lower requirement of new base station sites
in licensed service area, telecom service providers should be asked to deploy unique
base station sites at the locations identified by DoT in other licensed service
areas.
I. Recommendations on Reserve Price and Payment
Options
bb. Recommended Reserve Price for various
spectrum bands (for 20 years) is as per table given below:
|
Reserve Price of spectrum per MHz for 20 years |
|||||||||
|
Service Area |
600 MHz band |
800 MHz band |
900 MHz band |
1800 MHz band |
2100 MHz band |
2300 MHz band |
2500 MHz band |
3300 MHz band |
26 GHz band |
|
|
(Paired) |
(Unpaired) |
|||||||
|
|
(In Rs. Crore) |
(in Rs. lakhs) |
|||||||
|
Andhra Pradesh |
233 |
182 |
217 |
127 |
90 |
38 |
38 |
20 |
43 |
|
Assam |
52 |
47 |
50 |
28 |
28 |
9 |
8 |
4 |
8 |
|
Bihar |
133 |
108 |
124 |
97 |
56 |
16 |
17 |
10 |
21 |
|
Delhi |
441 |
327 |
327 |
214 |
192 |
73 |
74 |
34 |
71 |
|
Gujarat |
196 |
151 |
151 |
108 |
94 |
37 |
32 |
17 |
38 |
|
Haryana |
66 |
51 |
51 |
36 |
28 |
12 |
10 |
5 |
11 |
|
Himachal Pradesh |
25 |
20 |
20 |
13 |
9 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
|
Jammu & Kashmir |
14 |
12 |
13 |
8 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Karnataka |
185 |
142 |
166 |
102 |
81 |
44 |
33 |
15 |
31 |
|
Kerala |
105 |
82 |
82 |
49 |
43 |
18 |
16 |
8 |
16 |
|
Kolkata |
109 |
81 |
102 |
62 |
44 |
20 |
20 |
11 |
24 |
|
Madhya Pradesh |
140 |
111 |
111 |
114 |
53 |
17 |
18 |
11 |
22 |
|
Maharashtra |
259 |
201 |
201 |
141 |
101 |
44 |
39 |
22 |
48 |
|
Mumbai |
292 |
215 |
215 |
166 |
118 |
65 |
58 |
26 |
58 |
|
North East |
14 |
12 |
12 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
Orissa |
65 |
53 |
59 |
34 |
24 |
10 |
9 |
5 |
9 |
|
Punjab |
88 |
68 |
120 |
49 |
35 |
18 |
14 |
7 |
15 |
|
Rajasthan |
125 |
99 |
155 |
67 |
56 |
15 |
16 |
9 |
20 |
|
Tamil Nadu |
212 |
164 |
188 |
100 |
97 |
55 |
40 |
17 |
36 |
|
U. P. (East) |
232 |
194 |
214 |
212 |
99 |
23 |
26 |
14 |
27 |
|
U.P. (West) |
174 |
161 |
165 |
80 |
68 |
20 |
22 |
12 |
24 |
|
West Bengal |
112 |
91 |
114 |
68 |
39 |
14 |
14 |
8 |
16 |
ccc.
Recommended payment options for various spectrum bands are as follows:
I. Payment terms for the 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800
MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz spectrum bands - two options,
as given below:
(i) Full or
part upfront payment option, and
(ii) 20 equal annual instalments option.
II.
Payment terms for the assignment of spectrum in the 600 MHz spectrum band:
two options, as given below:
i.
Full or part upfront payment option, and
ii.
5% upfront payment of the bid amount within 10 calendar days from the issuance
of Demand Note. The buyer should be given a moratorium period of four years (i.e.
no payment is required to be made from the 2nd year to the 5th
year), and the balance amount should be payable in equal annual instalments over
the remaining 19 years’ period (starting from the beginning of the 6th
year), payable in advance at the beginning of each year, after the period of moratorium,
duly protecting the Net Present Value (NPV) of the bid amount at the applicable
rate of interest.
J. Periodicity for Conduct of Fresh Valuation
Exercise
DDDD. The periodicity for conducting a fresh
valuation exercise is as outlined below and is consistent with the provisions specified
in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Recommendations on the Auction of Spectrum
in frequency bands identified for IMT/5G dated 11.04.2022.
I. For existing bands (including for the
bands being put to auction for the first time in the forthcoming auction), a fresh
spectrum valuation exercise be conducted once every three years; a suitable reference
be made to the Authority by Government for this purpose.
II. For auctions conducted in the interim
period between periodic valuation exercises conducted once every three years,
i. for LSAs where the spectrum put to auction
in a previous auction is sold, the auction determined prices (duly indexed using
applicable MCLR if more than one year has elapsed since the previous auction) should
be used for arriving at the reserve prices for the next auction;
ii. for LSAs, where spectrum remains unsold
in previous auctions, past recommended reserve price (without indexation) should
be used.
III. For new spectrum bands, to be put
to auction for first time, a reference be sent to the Authority, as per established
procedure as and when these bands are proposed to be put to auction.
IV. However, if required, DoT may seek
fresh reserve prices from the Authority for the existing bands, providing a full
and reasoned justification for the same.
The Recommendations have been placed on
the TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in). For any clarification/ information Shri Akhilesh
Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Networks, Spectrum and Licensing), TRAI may be contacted
at Telephone Number +91-11-20907758.