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Govt to finalise 3G spectrum auction
By siliconindia
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Wednesday, 13 August 2008, 16:19 IST
New Delhi: Indian government is likely to finalise the online auction process of 3G spectrum by September 30. Ahead of the 3G spectrum allocation process, the government would invite request for proposals for rolling out mobile number portability (MNP). Government had recently announced the guidelines for 3G spectrum and MNP. It has also allowed foreign players to take part in the next generation telecom space.
A 3G mobile phone service enables its customer enjoy internet facilities like downloading content, including music and video at a higher speed. "Technical and financial details are being discussed. Once that is done, this e-auction process for 3G spectrum would be finalised by September 30", says Sidhharth Behura, Telecom Secretary. He further said, "In a week's time, preliminary procedure for MNP seeking RFP from vendors will be out."
Telecom minister A Raja earlier said that government would finalise the terms of auctioning five 3G phone service licenses by October. According to DoT sources, an inter-ministerial body of Telecom Commission and the Finance and Technology Ministries members is formed to set the rules of the bidders. This body will also evaluate the firms in terms of technology before the e-auction. The bidding process is expected to raise upto Rs 40,000 crore.
One slot has been reserved for MTNL, in Mumbai and New Delhi and BSNL for the rest of India. Licenses can be extended to a dozen based on the available spectrum. Thus, the global players like AT&T, DT and NTT might enter into the Indian market through 3G.
