Billionaire Gautam Adani-led Adani Data Networks, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have applied to participate in the upcoming 5G auction, according to a list issued by the Department of Telecom on Tuesday.

The spectrum auction, scheduled to start on July 26, may see aggressive bids for some frequency bands, with the entry of Adani Data Networks and established players Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel looking to strengthen their hold in the industry.

“…applications have been received from the…applicants for participation in the 2022 Auction for rights to use Spectrum in 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz Bands,” the Department of Telecom (DoT) said.

Applicants have time till July 19 to withdraw their applications, according to a PTI news despatch from New Delhi.

On July 9, Adani Group said it is in the race to acquire spectrum, which it said will be used to create a private network to support its businesses from airports to power as well as data centers.

A total of 72,097.85 MHz of spectrum worth at least Rs 4.3 lakh crore will be put on the block during the auction, set to commence on July 26, 2022.

The auction will be held for spectrum in various low (600 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz), mid (3300 MHz) and high (26 GHz) frequency bands, PTI reported from New Delhi.

On Monday, BofA Securities in a note on the Adani Group’s plans to bid in 5G auctions said, “We consider this news flow negative for incumbent telcos as it increases competition in upcoming auction bidding as well as in the long-term opportunity to target the enterprise space”.