5G spectrum auction likely by May: Report

"Trai has indicated that they will send it (recommendations) by March. Thereafter, it will take us a month to make a decision around it," Telecom Secretary K Rajaraman told PTI.

Rajaraman said it will take the DoT two months to start the auction from the day it gets recommendations from the Trai, according to PTI.

Earlier this month, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said Trai has informed that recommendations for the 5G auction are likely by March and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is simultaneously prepping up to hold the auction at the earliest.

According to the DoT, with 5G download speed will multiply 10 times than 4G services.

As per the current practice, the apex decision making body at the DoT, the Digital Communications Commission (formerly the Telecom Commission) takes the decision on Trai recommendations and then approaches the Cabinet for the final approval.

Rajaraman said that the DoT has already selected MSTC as the auctioneer for the upcoming auction, according to the report.

Trai has given participants in 5G spectrum consultation to submit their additional comments by February 15 after which it will review and come up with recommendations, it added.

Telecom operators have sought up to 95 percent cut in the spectrum frequency band price.

Both telecom and satellite players are against each other over rules for the 5G spectrum auction.