Government Target: Rs 10,000 crore (Analyst estimates: Rs 4,000 crore – Rs 16,600 crore)
2022 Auction Collection: Rs 1.5 lakh crore (record high)
This significant difference suggests a few possibilities:
Lower Demand: Telecom companies might have less need for additional spectrum due to various factors like market saturation or strategic acquisitions.
Spectrum Type: The spectrum bands offered this year might be less attractive for tel cos compared to the ones available in 2022.
Reserve Prices: Perhaps the reserve prices set by the government are higher this year, discouraging aggressive bidding.
The final outcome of the auction will provide clearer insights. Analysts predict that due to the lower demand, the spectrum might be sold close to the reserve prices, leading to a lower overall collection for the government.