Spectrum auctions likely in early 2016

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning another bumper auction of telecom spectrum that may even surpass record sales in March. Likely to be held early next year, this will include frequencies in the 2G, 3G and 4G bands. Spectrum in the prized 700 MHz band for 4G may also be on offer for the first time ever.
The auction earlier this year was the biggest ever, raising about Rs 1.10-lakh crore from the sale of 2G, 3G and 4G frequencies. Starting prices have been sought for the 2G bands of 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, the 3G band of 2100 MHz and the 4G bands of 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz, apart from 700 MHz. Under new liberalised spectrum rules, all these bands can be used to offer any telecom services using any technology.