MUMBAI|KOLKATA: The government plans to split the next telecom spectrum<\/a> auctions by offering 4G airwaves some time this year and 5G probably in 2021, people familiar with the matter said. The move would benefit Vodafone<\/a> Idea and Bharti Airtel<\/a>, which want the 5G spectrum sale to be delayed, citing stretched finances and an underdeveloped ecosystem, analysts said.

Officials from the Department of Telecommunication<\/a> pointed out that a 5G spectrum auction this year would have attracted few bidders, indicating the reason for the U-turn. However, industry executives said lack of clarity on whether Chinese vendors Huawei<\/a> and ZTE<\/a> can deploy their next generation mobile communication standard technology in India prompted the government to postpone the spectrum auction.

Digital Communications Commission, DoT<\/a>’s highest decision-making body, discussed auctions on Monday, the people said. While Reliance Jio hasn’t publicly backed a move to delay 5G auctions, all three operators have said the base price, Rs 492 crore a unit, was too high and wouldn’t attract bids. “Discussions are on to hold the 5G auctions later as some of the telcos need to buy spectrum but 5G may not be the priority now,” said a person aware of the developments. The proposal, if agreed, will need Cabinet approval.
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