The end of sixteenth day of telecom spectrum auctions saw better response than the previous day with bids amounting to ₹1.07 lakh crore. The day saw five rounds of bidding taking place in the 2100 MHz, 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz bands.
On Friday, the bids garnered ₹1.05 lakh crore down from ₹1.09 lakh crore on Thursday.
As on Saturday, there have been 97 rounds of auctions that started on March 4.
The auction will continue on Monday.
“The bidding is taking place in all bands. Brisk bidding was seen on sixteenth day of bidding, with activity requirement set at 100 per cent. There is robust bidding going on in 1800 MHz, 900 MHz and 800 MHz bands,” the Department of Telecom (DoT) said.
At the end of 97th round, about 88 per cent of the spectrum has been provisionally allocated to bidders. Majority of service areas are going at a premium over reserve price, it said.
“The competitive bidding is expected to continue. There is still spectrum, which is yet to be sold,” the DoT added.
The intensity continued to be around 800 MHz and 900 MHz with prices going up by 81 per cent and 86 per cent respectively above the reserve prices.
However, bidding in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh (both East and West) circles continued not to take place from any of the telecom players. Similarly, Bihar circle in for the 1800 MHz.
For the 2100 MHz, telecom companies continue not to bid for Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Mumbai circles.