Telcos may proceed cautiously on 5G spectrum auction

India's top telecom lobby said the government's proposed base price for the auction of spectrum for next-generation 5G networks is too high as India outlined plans to launch the sale process this year.

The proposed auction price will be a "serious impediment" to the uptake of 5G in India, said Rajan Mathews, director general of lobby group Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).

"The majority of our members believe the present proposed pricing of the 5G spectrum is unaffordable," Mathews said in a brief statement, adding they were above the rates in 5G auctions in other parts of the world.