TRAI Recommends Auction of All Available Spectrum with Lower Entry Barriers and 35% Cap

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended auctioning all available spectrum across nine frequency bands from 600 MHz to 26 GHz, with a validity period of 20 years. It proposed lowering net-worth requirements for new entrants to encourage competition and suggested a uniform 35% spectrum cap. TRAI urged the Department of Telecommunications to reclaim spectrum held by companies undergoing insolvency and include it in the auction. Reserve prices have been reduced for most bands, with special provisions for the 600 MHz band, while the 6 GHz band auction is deferred pending global clarity.