Telecom regulator TRAI on Thursday held extensive discussions with the industry on spectrum auction but did not commit a timeframe for finalising its views on pricing and timing for sale of airwaves, saying it will give recommendations “as soon as possible”.
The open house consultation on Thursday on the next round of spectrum auction involving multiple bands was attended by telco officials including from Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Aircel, Reliance Jio, besides industry body COAI, Broadband India Forum, among others.
During the discussion, many telecom operators asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to take into consideration the distressed financial situation of the industry and spate of consolidations and exits in the sector while determining the timing of the next round of auctions.
The industry has also been in favour of lowering of reserve prices to enable adequate participation and ensuring fair market discovery especially in the backdrop of the sector's financial difficulties.
“I cannot tell you what will be the end date for the recommendations. As always we will try to do it as soon as possible. We will have to do a lot of exercises in order to arrive at reserve prices,” TRAI Chairman RS Sharma told reporters.
On industry's demand that timing is not conducive now for holding spectrum auction given the financial stress, Sharma said decision on all those aspects will be taken after a considered view.
“There are a host of questions on need and timing and what should be the reserve price. I cannot say what course of action we will take. The recommendations will be determined on the basis of inputsgiven by stakeholders,” Sharma added.