The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Thursday issued consultation paper on ‘valuation and reserve price of spectrum’ in seven bands — 700, 800, 900,1800, 2300 and 2500 megahertz — for the next round of auctions, that is likely to happen within this financial year (around February-March).

TRAI’s coming out of valuation and reserve price could be a step forward into the process.

The sector regulator has sought stakeholders’ comments on issues like quantum of spectrum to be auctioned, spectrum block size, spectrum cap, roll-out obligations and methods to be used for valuation and estimation of reserve price of spectrum.

“Written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by December 21 and counter comments by December 28,” it said, adding that there will not be any extension of timelines.

Clarifying its position over reported delay in the paper, and hence the auctions, the regulator said the information sent by the Department of Telecom on July 9 was not sufficient.

“TRAI, through its letter dated July 24, had sought the information, which was critical in nature for preparation of the consultation paper. The Dot provided certain information through their letter dated October 16. This information is also not complete,” it said.

Therefore, another letter was sent to DoT on November 16 seeking further clarifications, it said.

“However, to save time, the Authority has decided to issue the consultation paper on the available information,” it added.

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