Question : AUCTION OF CDMA SPECTRUM

(a) whether the Government proposes to acution the CDMA spectrum in the forthcoming spectrum auction;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has suggested a base price of Rs. 3646 crore per MHz for the auction of CDMA spectrum which is 17 per cent higher than what the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended and the price is almost equivalent to that of premium 900 MHz band which is considered more efficient than other GSM frequency bands; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the rationale behind such huge increase?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) and (b) Auction of spectrum in 800 MHz frequency band in 20 Service Areas is scheduled during March’ 2015.

(c) and (d) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in its response dated 27th November 2014 on Reserve Price for Auction of Spectrum in 800 MHz Band has recommended Reserve Price as Rs 3104 crores per MHz Pan India and the Government has decided Reserve Price as Rs 3646 crores per MHz Pan India. Reserve Price for 900 MHz band is Rs 3400 crores per MHz for 17 Service Areas.