Conducting spectrum auction : Centre invites bids for selection of agency

New Delhi: The government on Monday invited bids for selection of agency that will conduct spectrum auctions in various bands, including 5G, as it set the stage for mega sale of over 8,000 MHz of radiowaves.

Issuing the notice for 'Request for Proposal' or tender document, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said the deadline for submission of the bids would be September 25.

The guidelines for auction of spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, 2,100 MHz, 2,300 MHz, 2,500 MHz and 3,300-3,600 MHz bands will be announced separately, the notice said while pointing to an availability of 8,093 MHz of airwaves in multiple bands.

"Notice for Request for Proposal (RFP) for selection of agency for conducting e-auction of spectrum in various bands was issued by the Department of Telecommunications on August 26," an official release said.

In June this year, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said the government will hold spectrum auction for 5G and other bands in the current calendar year.

The notice issued by the DoT on Monday said the bid evaluation will be in three parts -- pre-qualification, technical and financial.