• 5G spectrum auction day 3: 10th rounds of bidding underway

    Business
    5G spectrum auction day 3: 10th rounds of bidding underway
    The auctions garnered Rs 1.49 lakh crore as aggressive bidding across various bands by players like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel kept the pace going and extended the sale to the third day.

    Digital Desk: India's 5G spectrum auctions entered Day 3 on Thursday, the tenth round of bidding for airwaves that would support lag-free connectivity and extremely fast internet.

    The auctions garnered Rs 1.49 lakh crore as aggressive bidding across various bands by players like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel kept the pace going and extended the sale to the third day.

    On Wednesday, there were up to five rounds of bidding, and Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "Strong competitiveness" was evident in practically all of the bands up for grabs.

    Vaishnaw was pleased with the interest in the sought-after 700 MHz band, which had been up for sale twice previously in 2016 and 2021 but did not receive any bidders.

    Moreover, he told reporters on Wednesday, "The sector is coming with new energy and that is reflected in the reaction to 5G auctions."

    On the first day on Tuesday, when four rounds were held, businesses owned by tycoons Mukesh Ambani, Sunil Bharti Mittal, and Gautam Adani, as well as Vodafone Idea, submitted bids totaling Rs 1.45 lakh crore, and more demand for airwaves arrived in five rounds held on Wednesday.