Spectrum auction for 5G services concluded Monday. The big picture is that 71 of the spectrum were sold for Rs 1.5 lakh crore, which can be paid over 20 annual installments. Three features of the auctions stood out. Gobi showed a lot more pragmatism this time, because in recent auctions spectrum often remained unsold. While that been the case this time too, Gobi helped push things along by diluting the cost of acquisition. Payment in installments was introduced, bank guarantees were waived and spectrum usage charges eliminated. It helped. Action was concentrated in three bands. In 700 MHz, which went unsold in two preceding auctions, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz? The last two bands were auctioned for the first time and all four bidders picked up spectrum in 26 GHz. The 700 MHz and 26 GHz bands will see different kinds of 5G rollout. The former is a low frequency band which can cover wide areas with fewer base stations but is relatively slow in download speed. The 26 GHz spectrum is millimeter wave band. Its chief characteristics are fast connection speeds of more than 3 Gaps but limited range for signals. This band is likely to be used for captive networks among businesses. The 3300 MHz mid band is where most of the auction revenue was generated. About 54 of the total spent were in bids for this band. The three incumbent telecom firms competed for it and 76 of the spectrum on offer was sold. The action here suggests that incumbents continue to augment their 4G capacity as that will remain the mainstay for a while. This band also offers the room to upgrade at a later date as the market evolves. One sign of the market evolution is that just 17 of the spectrum in the 900. Spectrum auction for 5G services concluded Monday. The big picture is that 71 of the spectrum were sold for Rs 1.5 lakh crore, which can be paid over 20 annual installments. Three features of the auctions stood out. Gobi showed a lot more pragmatism this time, because in recent auctions spectrum often remained unsold. While that been the case this time too, Gobi helped push things along by diluting the cost of acquisition. Payment in installments was introduced, bank guarantees were waived and spectrum usa Spectrum auction for 5G services concluded Monday. The big picture is that 71 of the spectrum were sold for Rs 1.5 lakh crore, which can be paid over 20 annual installments. Three features of the auctions stood out. Gobi showed a lot more pragmatism this time, because in recent auctions spectrum often remained unsold. While that been the case this time too, Gobi helped push things along by diluting the cost of acquisition. Payment in installments was introduced, bank guarantees were waived and spectrum usage charges eliminated. It helped. Action was concentrated in three bands. In 700 MHz, which went unsold in two preceding auctions, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz? The last two bands were auctioned for the first time and all four bidders picked up spectrum in 26 GHz. The 700 MHz and 26 GHz bands will see different kinds of 5G rollout. The former is a low frequency band which can cover wide areas with fewer base stations but is relatively slow in download speed. The 26 GHz spectrum is millimeter wave band. Its chief characteristics are fast connection speeds of more than 3 Gaps but limited range for signals. This band is likely to be used for captive networks among businesses. The 3300 MHz mid band is where most of the auction revenue was generated. About 54 of the total spent were in bids for this band. The three incumbent telecom firms competed for it and 76 of the spectrum on offer was sold. The action here suggests that incumbents continue to augment their 4G capacity as that will remain the mainstay for a while. This band also offers the room to upgrade at a later date as the market evolves. One sign of the market evolution is that just 17 of the spectrum in the 900. Spectrum auction for 5G services concluded Monday. The big picture is that 71 of the spectrum were sold for Rs