The Union Cabinet today approved the finalization of the reserve price for auction of spectrum in 1800 MHz band for all service areas and for 900 MHz band in Metro service areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

As recommended by the Empowered Group of Ministers, the Cabinet approved the following:

i)           the reserve price for 1800 MHz band of Rs. 1765 crore per MHz Pan India, which works out to be Rs. 8825 crore for 5 MHz Pan India; and

ii)          the reserve price for 900 MHz band of Rs. 360 crore, Rs. 328 crore and Rs. 125 crore per MHz in Metro service areas of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata respectively.

The decisions will result in further efficient utilization of the scarce natural resource of spectrum facilitating expansion of telecom services in the country.

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SC/SK