Govt to finalise 3G spectrum auction process by Sept 30

NEW DELHI: Government is working towards finalising the online auction process of 3G spectrum by September 30.

"Technical and financial details are being discussed. Once that is done, this e-auction process for 3G spectrum would be finalised by September 30", Sidhharth Behura, Telecom Secretary said on Monday.

An inter-ministerial committee, with members from the Telecom Commission (DoT's apex body) and the finance and information technology ministries, will first set rules on who can bid or request interest in the bidding, DoT sources said. It would also shortlist eligible firms through technical evaluation and then the e-auction would be held, they added.

Earlier telecom Minister A Raja had said the government expects to finalise terms of auctioning five 3G phone service licences by October. With auctions slated to start by October, government is bullish about meeting good response to the bidding process to raise raise up to Rs 40,000 crore.

A 3G mobile phone service allows customers to surf the internet or download content, including music and video, at speeds faster than current technologies.

Depending on spectrum available number of licenses could be extended up to a dozen. One slot has been reserved for MTNL, in Mumbai and New Delhi and BSNL for the rest of India.

At least two to five operators can be accommodated.

Source : Economics Times