Tom Phillips, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA comments on the conclusion of the spectrum auction in India:
“The Indian Government raised a record amount from the spectrum auction – almost US $18 billion. This outcome reflects the commitment of national mobile operators to invest in India, but it was also the result of pressure on operators to retain existing holdings to ensure service continuity for their customers.
“Unfortunately these high prices will put increased financial pressure on operators and ultimately have a negative impact on consumers, reducing the value derived from the spectrum and hindering future economic growth and social gain in India.
“With the auction now concluded, the GSMA looks to the Indian Government to enable a business and regulatory environment built around trust and certainty, which will facilitate fresh investment by mobile operators to expand mobile broadband services throughout the country.
“Mobile connectivity is a critical enabler for building a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy and must inevitably be at the heart of Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a truly ‘Digital India’.”
