New Delhi

India prepares for a 5G era with the spectrum auction worth Rs 1.9 lakh crore beginning from Tuesday.

The four big players in the race - Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Adani group - have submitted a combined earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs 21,400 core.

The 5G era will open 10 times faster than 4G and 30 times faster than 3G, allowing millions to have an experience never seen before.

The auction entailing 72 GHz of the spectrum will conclude by July-end and the rollout is expected by September this year.

The telcos are allowed to surrender spectrum that will be auctioned after a minimum period of 10 years from the date of acquisition.

Last month, in a big relief to telecom companies, the DoT scrapped the 3 per cent floor rate on spectrum usage charge.

5G in India will empower tech companies, enterprises and ecosystem players to build private networks and bring next-generation digital transformation which is critical for the country to achieve the goal of becoming a $1 trillion digital economy, according to industry leaders and experts.

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According to Broadband India Forum (BIF), this will lead to better efficiencies, productivity and output for the enterprises, accelerate digitisation, boost capabilities, propel indigenous manufacturing and eventually garner greater economic gains for the country.