(a) whether Telecom Commission has sought clarification from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on mega spectrum auction plan;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of TRAI in this regard;
(c) whether mobile operators have sought to defer the auction of spectrum of 700 MHz band;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the reaction of the Government thereto along with the time by which the spectrum auction of various bands are likely to be held?
THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) & (b) The Government had sought certain clarifications/ reconsidered opinion of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), taking into account the recommendations of Telecom Commissions, on some of its recommendations dated 27.1.2016, which included, inter-alia, quantum of spectrum for auction in 700 MHz band, auction of partial spectrum, eligibility conditions, block size, roll out obligations, spectrum audit, reserve price of spectrum in various bands, spectrum usage charges, etc. The TRAI provided its response dated 18.4.2016 to reference back made by the Department of Telecom. These reconsidered recommendations of TRAI are under consideration.
(c) & (d) Some of the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs),such as, M/s Bharti Airtel Limited, M/s Reliance Jio Infocom Limited, M/s Aircel Limited and M/s Idea Cellular Limited etc. and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) had submitted responses to TRAI with reference to the TRAI Consultation Paper No. 6 of 2015 on “Valuation and Reserve Price of Spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz Bands” dated 26.11.2015 wherein they have requested that the auction of the spectrum in 700 MHz band be held only after development of a strong device ecosystem. Representations of some of the TSPs such as M/s Vodafone India Limited, and COAI have also been received in the Department of Telecom regarding higher Reserve Price for 700 MHz band recommended by TRAI in its recommendation dated 27.1.2016.
(e) The spectrum auction is planned in current financial year.