Spectrum Auction Postponed: Key Players and Strategic Bidding

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has rescheduled the spectrum auction to June 25, deferring it by 19 days from the initial date. The auction, valued at a base price of ₹96,317 crore, will include eight spectrum bands crucial for mobile phone services.

Major telecom players like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea are set to compete, with Reliance Jio leading with an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹3,000 crore. The spectrum will be assigned for 20 years, with a provision for annual payments and an option to surrender after 10 years, ensuring flexibility and strategic bidding opportunities for the participants.