The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has approved the applications of seven cellcos interested in bidding in the upcoming multi-band spectrum auction, although restrictions have been imposed on several bidders. Of the seven, Idea Cellular, Vodafone India, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJIL) will be allowed to bid for any available frequencies in all 22 circles. Reliance Communications (RCOM), meanwhile, has been prohibited from bidding in the North East or Assam circles whilst Aircel and Tata Teleservices (TTSL) were deemed to have a negative net worth and had greater restrictions imposed.
For its part, Aircel may bid for 900MHz and 1800MHz band spectrum in any circle and airwaves in the 2100MHz range in 13 circles. The cellco may only bid for 2300MHz spectrum in Andhra Pradesh, however, and is not permitted to bid for any 700MHz, 800MHz or 2500MHz airwaves. Finally, TTSL’s restrictions are as follows: 800MHz, all circles except Assam and North East; 900MHz and 1800MHz, all except Assam, Delhi and North East; 2100MHz, ten circles; 700MHz, 2300MHz and 2500MHz, Mumbai and Maharashtra only.