India's 5G Auction Is Finally in Motion

This IDC Market Note discusses the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for the upcoming 5G auctions scheduled in mid-2022. The TRAI has made recommendations for the issuance of spectrum for several 4G and 5G spectrum bands, but this report will focus on the recommendations for 5G spectrum auction in the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity 600MHz bands (612-703MHz), C-band spectrum (3300-3670MHz), and millimeter wave spectrum (24.25-28.5GHz). "If the Department of Telecommunications moves quickly to ratify the TRAI's recommendations, the likely timeline for these auctions will be toward the end of June, which will be the end of the calendar second quarter and the end of India's fiscal first quarter. Assuming a seamless auction and speedy disbursal of spectrum assets thereafter, India is likely to see commercial 5G services launch by 4Q22," says Shiv Putcha, adjunct research director, IDC Asia/Pacific.