Trai cuts 5G spectrum reserve prices by up to 37% ahead of auctions

India’s telecom regulator has sharply reduced base prices for 5G spectrum in an effort to revive weak auction interest and ease costs for operators.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has proposed cutting reserve prices by as much as 37% across several bands, including key 5G frequencies, to make bidding more viable for cash-strapped carriers. The move follows a string of underwhelming auctions, where large chunks of spectrum went unsold as operators balked at high prices and heavy debt burdens.

Trai has also asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to start the process of taking back spectrum currently held by Aircel, Reliance Telecom and Reliance Communications, which are in insolvency proceedings. The regulator wants these airwaves returned to the government and included in the upcoming sale, increasing supply and giving active operators more options to expand or strengthen their 4G and 5G holdings.