Four rounds of bidding were completed by late afternoon Monday in the second generation (2G) spectrum or airwaves auction that began in the morning, an official here said. Eight mobile phone service providers are participating in the auction for 46 MHz in 900 MHz band and 385 MHz in 1,800 MHz band.

“Bids have been received in all 22 service areas in 1,800 MHz band and in all three Service Areas in 900 MHz band. Thus, bidding has taken place in all the Service Areas in both bands,” an official statement said.

The total spectrum on offer is 46 MHz in 900 MHz band (only Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata) and 385 MHz in 1,800 MHz band (all 22 circles) simultaneously. The government expects to mop up Rs.40,874.50 crore from this spectrum auction.

Eight telecom service providers – Reliance Communications, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Telewings, Aircel, Tata Teleservices and Idea Cellular – are participating in the bidding.

The auctioning of the airwaves is done to obtain a market determined price of the spectrum. This auction does not have any last date. It will go on from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. till the time telecom service providers keep bidding.

The service providers will bid using fixed Internet Protocols (IP) as dynamic IP addresses are not allowed.

  1800 MHz band auction, 900 MHz, Four rounds of bidding