TRAI releases Recommendations on the Auction of Radio Frequency Spectrum in the Frequency Bands Identified for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)

1. At a Glance

TRAI, the statutory telecom regulator, on 24 Feb 2026 sent recommendations to DoT on reserve price, band plan, block size and quantum for auctioning IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) spectrum across nine bands. [S1][S2]
Significant because it shapes India's next round of 4G/5G/6G-ready spectrum auction, fiscal receipts of the Centre, and the 6 GHz (upper) IMT-vs-satellite policy debate. [S2]
Issued under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, on a reference from DoT dated 15.05.2025. [S1]

24 Feb 2026: TRAI released the IMT auction Recommendations. [S1][S2]
Follows TRAI's Consultation Paper of 30.09.2025 and an Open House on 12.12.2025 (19 comments, 12 counter-comments). [S2]
Sets stage for the next spectrum auction covering 600 MHz, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2500, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz. [S2]

TRAI Act, 1997 created the regulator; recommendatory role on spectrum pricing/auction under Sec 11(1)(a). [S1]
2010: First 3G/BWA auction; 2016: 700 MHz unsold; 2022: 5G auction (700/3300/26 GHz inter alia). [S2]
2024 (Feb 2025 PRID 2099632): TRAI recommendations on 37–40 GHz and 42.5–43.5 GHz mmWave bands. [S3]
15 May 2025: DoT reference to TRAI seeking fresh inputs incl. 600 MHz and feasibility of 6425–6725 MHz and 7025–7125 MHz (6 GHz upper). [S1][S2]
30 Sep 2025: Consultation Paper issued; 12 Dec 2025: virtual open house. [S2]

Issuing body: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). [S1]
Recipient ministry: Ministry of Communications → Department of Telecommunications (DoT). [S1]
Statute: TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended) — Section 11(1)(a). [S1]
DoT reference letter: L-14006/01/2025-IMT, dated 15.05.2025. [S1]
Bands recommended for auction: 600, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2500, 3300 MHz, 26 GHz. [S2]
Bands deferred (reserved for IMT but not auctioned now): 6425–6725 MHz and 7025–7125 MHz (6 GHz upper) — to be re-examined post WRC-27. [S2]
Assignment unit: Telecom Circle / Metro Area; validity 20 years. [S2]
600 MHz payment option: 5% upfront in 10 days, 4-year moratorium (years 2–5), balance in 19 equal annual instalments. [S2]
Satellite coexistence: trials at 34 satellite uplink station locations to fix keep-out distance for IMT base stations. [S2]
Consultation participation: 19 comments + 12 counter-comments. [S2]

Economic
Auction receipts feed non-tax revenue; long 20-year validity + moratorium reduces upfront cash outflow, supporting financially stressed telcos (Vi, BSNL). [S2]
600 MHz coverage band lowers per-site capex in rural areas. [S2]
Scientific / Technological
600 MHz/3300 MHz/26 GHz support 5G NR low-, mid-, mmWave layers; 6 GHz upper is the global 5G-Advanced/6G candidate. [S2]
WRC-27 (ITU World Radiocommunication Conference) will decide global 6 GHz allocation; India aligns timing accordingly. [S2]
Geopolitical / Strategic
6 GHz upper contested between IMT mobile (telcos) and satellite/Wi-Fi (delicensed) lobbies; TRAI sided with reserving for IMT pending WRC-27. [S2]
Satellite uplink protection (34 sites) reflects national security/space-comm interests. [S2]
Legal / Constitutional
Spectrum a public resource — 2G case (2012, Centre for PIL v UoI) mandated auction route. [S1]
Recommendations are advisory; DoT/Cabinet take binding call. [S1]
Administrative
Circle-wise assignment retains India's legacy 22 LSA structure. [S2]
Open-house consultation embodies regulatory due process. [S2]

TRAI issues telecom recommendations under Sec 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997. [S1]
Recommendations released on 24 Feb 2026. [S1]
Bands proposed for next auction: 600, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300, 2500, 3300 MHz, 26 GHz. [S2]
6 GHz upper (6425–6725 MHz and 7025–7125 MHz) NOT to be auctioned now; reserved for IMT pending WRC-27. [S2]
Spectrum validity proposed: 20 years. [S2]
Geographic unit of assignment: Telecom Circle / Metro Area. [S2]
600 MHz instalment scheme: 5% upfront, 4-yr moratorium, 19 equal annual instalments. [S2]
DoT to run satellite-IMT coexistence trials at 34 uplink station locations. [S2]
Consultation Paper dated 30.09.2025; Open House on 12.12.2025. [S2]
TRAI is headquartered in New Delhi; established 20 Feb 1997. [S1]
WRC = World Radiocommunication Conference (ITU); WRC-27 scheduled by ITU, a UN specialised agency. [S2]

GS-III: Science & Technology (5G/6G, spectrum management); Indian Economy (auction of public resources, fiscal receipts).
GS-II: Statutory regulatory bodies (TRAI), Government policies & interventions.
Probable stems:
"Spectrum is a finite national resource; critically evaluate TRAI's 2026 recommendations on IMT spectrum auction in the context of fiscal goals and digital inclusion."
"Discuss the trade-off between reserving the 6 GHz upper band for IMT vis-à-vis delicensing it for Wi-Fi/satellite. Should India await WRC-27?"
"Examine the role of TRAI in spectrum policy. To what extent are its recommendations binding on the Government?"

Digital Bharat Nidhi / USOF — funds rural telecom rollout, complements spectrum reach.
Telecommunications Act, 2023 — new statutory architecture replacing 1885/1933 Acts.
WRC-27 / ITU — global allocation framework for IMT.
Bharat 6G Vision Document (DoT, 2023) — links to 6 GHz/mmWave roadmap.
2G Spectrum Case (2012) — constitutional basis for auctions.
PLI for Telecom & Networking — supply-side complement.
IN-SPACe & satellite spectrum assignment — administrative allotment vs auction debate.
National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) 2022.

TRAI vs DCC vs DoT: TRAI only recommends; Digital Communications Commission (DCC) and Cabinet decide; auction conducted by DoT.
Confusing 6 GHz lower (5925–6425 MHz, often discussed for Wi-Fi delicensing) with 6 GHz upper (6425–7125 MHz, recommended reserved for IMT).
Section: spectrum recommendations are under 11(1)(a), not 11(1)(b) (QoS/tariff).
700 MHz is not in this list (already auctioned in 2022); the new coverage band here is 600 MHz.
TRAI established 1997, not 2000; chairperson is not appointed by the President but by the Central Government under the TRAI Act.

[S1] TRAI releases Recommendations on the Auction of Radio Frequency Spectrum in IMT Bands — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2232136 — (tier 1)
[S2] Same release (alt link) + search-surfaced details (Consultation Paper 30.09.2025, Open House 12.12.2025, 600 MHz instalment plan, 6 GHz reservation, 34 satellite sites) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2232136&reg=3&lang=2 — (tier 1)
[S3] TRAI Recommendations on 37–40 GHz and 42.5–43.5 GHz IMT bands (earlier precedent) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2099632 — (tier 1)