TRAI sets high reserve price for 800 MHz

NEW DELHI: India’s telecom regulator on Saturday recommended a pan-India reserve price of Rs 2,685 per Mhz for 800 Mhz band airwaves auctions, 52% higher than the floor price of the just concluded auction in the 1800 Mhz band, disappointing CDMA operators who wanted a much lower price.

TRAI has priced metros circles of Delhi and Mumbai in the CDMA band at Rs 450 crore and Rs 352 crore per unit of airwaves, about 25% and 7.3% higher than the 900 Mhz base price in the recently concluded auctions in Delhi and Mumbai, respectively.

However, the base price in Kolkata of Rs 101 crore is lower than floor price of Rs 125 crore. TRAI’s recommendations will go to the telecom department, which will decide on the final reserve price.