(Telecompaper) The Indian government has raised over INR 611 billion (USD 9.9 billion) from the auction of spectrum licences in the 900 and 1,800 MHz bands, well ahead of its previous projections. Vodafone India said it spent INR 196 billion (USD 3.15 billion) to retain its existing spectrum in the 900 MHz band and extend and acquire new licences on the 1,800 MHz band. The mobile operator said it was pleased with the outcome of the spectrum auction, which sees it hold on to its rights in the 900 MHz band in the major cities Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. It also bought 1,800 MHz frequencies in 11 circles - Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, UP East, Rajasthan, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. The company will need to pay an initial INR 56 billion this fiscal year for the licences, with the remainder spread over the life of the licences. Uninor confirmed that it acquired spectrum in the 1,800 MHz in four its existing regions, UP East and West, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, as well as the new circle of Assam, for a total cost of INR 8.45 billion. Other bidders in the auction included Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Aircel, Idea Cellular, Tata Teleservices and Reliance Jio Infocomm. The Department of Communications has released details on the winning bids for each of the new licences, but has yet to disclose the results per operator.