GSMA Calls for Affordable Spectrum Pricing to Benefit Indian Consumers and Economy

Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Pain' Approach to Spectrum Pricing Needs to End

London: John Giusti, Chief Regulatory Officer, GSMA commented on the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) recommendations1 for spectrum pricing in the forthcoming auction of the 700MHz band:

The GSMA is very concerned by TRAI's recommendation to set a starting price of US$1.7 billion1 per MHz for pan-Indian 700MHz spectrum. India has one of the lowest Average Revenues Per User (ARPU) across the world (US$2.45 at the end of 2015). Combined with so far limited revenue contribution from data services, competitive pressure on operators' revenues and high capital expenditure2 to upgrade networks, this makes it more challenging for operators to recover from high spectrum prices. Spectrum's greatest value does not come from high sales prices, but rather from its use to expand social and economic opportunity for all India's citizens. In 2014 alone, the mobile industry contributed 6.1 per cent to India's GDP3.

The more mobile operators have to pay for a spectrum licence, the less capital is available to roll out new mobile networks. As the digital economy becomes increasingly important to India's future prosperity, we encourage greater focus on the long-term benefits of connecting more people in India to affordable mobile broadband, rather than on short-term financial gain.

High reserve prices and an unrealistic predetermination of spectrum value could also reduce the willingness of potential bidders to buy the spectrum. For example, in Australia, an unrealistically high reserve price resulted in a valuable portion of the 700MHz spectrum left unsold and unused. Unused or under-utilised spectrum benefits neither the economy nor society.

We respectfully ask the Indian Government and TRAI to keep in mind the objectives for releasing 700MHz spectrum - one of the most promising bands to expand the reach of mobile broadband services into rural areas - in the lead-up to auctioning this critical spectrum resource. Setting reserve prices at reasonable levels will be key to achieving the Digital India objectives, allowing operators to focus their resources on building the necessary infrastructure to deliver high-quality mobile services for Indian citizens.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

1 Link to TRAI recommendations: http://www.trai.gov.in/WriteReadData/WhatsNew/Documents/Recc_27_1_2016.pdf

2 Capex over the last four years totalled in excess of US$18 billion and is likely to increase as operators invest further in network coverage and increasingly in 4G network deployments. Source: Mobile Economy India 2015

3 Source: Mobile Economy India 2015

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and Internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

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