(a) whether the Digital Communication Commission (DCC) has cleared the auction of telecom spectrum to introduce 5G services including Fiber-ToThe-Home internet in rural areas of the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to give preference to small cities and non-telecom companies to take part in the said auction; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the time by which a decision is likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND
ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *252 FOR 10TH JULY, 2019 ON “5G SPECTRUM AUCTION”.
(a) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had provided its recommendations for the auction of spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300-3400 MHz and 3400-3600 MHz bands on 01.08.2018 for providing Access Services using any technology including 5G. These recommendations are under examination by the Government.
(b) The Government normally auctions spectrum License Service Area (LSA) wise. An LSA subsumes all the cities therein. Eligibility to take part in the auction will be decided after considering TRAI’s recommendations.
(c) The details will be finally decided after a decision is taken on TRAI recommendations. Based upon the decision, the Government plans to hold spectrum auction by the end of this year (2019).