new delhi/mumbai, May 9 -- The Centre is unlikely to conduct a spectrum auction in 2025, according to two government officials as well as industry executives who are aware of the matter. Reason: India's three telecom operators are not inclined to buy more spectrum after spending vast amounts in previous auctions. The operators are currently looking to recoup the investments gone into purchasing Rs.1.5 lakh crore worth 5G spectrum in 2022 and capital expenditure for rollout of the network, analysts said. "Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is targeting to auction the spectrum early next year," one of the officials cited above said. "In the next few months, a reference will be sent to Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) for the same." To bring new spectrum bands such as 6GHz for auction, the DoT would need telecom regulator Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) to recommend its reserve price. This official added that the plan is to bring 6GHz spectrum in the next auction, possibly in 2026. The 6GHz spectrum band-in the range of 5,925-7,125 Mhz-has a total of 1,200 MHz in quantity. The band supports faster and more reliable wireless communication for both 5G and wifi technologies. In January, the government approved about half of the 6GHz band in the range of 6,425-7,025 MHz for telecom operators via auctions. However, since the band is used for satellite operations by the Indian Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), there is a possibility that only 300MHz quantity could be made available to get started with in the next auction, the official quoted above said. "If the government conducts an auction now, the prices for the waves will be more than what telcos can afford," a senior executive in one of the private telcos said, requesting anonymity. "The government will not want that and, hence, may schedule it later." The government auctions spectrum-a range of invisible radio waves that carry wireless signals, like those used for mobile phones, TV, and wifi-to telecom companies so they can use specific radio frequencies to provide mobile and internet services. Auctions help ensure fair competition, efficient use of spectrum, and generate revenue for the government. In the September 2021 reforms, the Union cabinet had approved conducting spectrum auctions annually. "Spectrum auctions to be normally held in the last quarter of every financial year," the government had said in a release dated 15 September 2021. Post the policy, the spectrum auction schedule has been haywire. For example, the 5G spectrum auctions in 2022 were held in July, no auctions were held in 2023 calendar year, and in 2024 the government conducted auctions in June. "Conducting successful auctions depends on the demand from operators, who have bought spectrum worth Rs.1.5 lakh crore in 2022 and Rs.11,340 crore in 2024," another official said, adding that auctions are expected early next year but not in 2025 calendar year....