Network OperatorsDoT marches ahead with 3G spectrum auction set for Feb 2015

DoT marches ahead with 3G spectrum auction set for Feb 2015

Despite all the issues that are anticipated to taint the upcoming spectrum auction in February, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is said to be keen on pressing ahead with the sale. It has requested the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to provide recommendations on the base price of the 2100MHz band without further delay.

Air waves in the 2100MHz frequency will be auctioned off along with those in the 800MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands, this February 2015. On a side note, telecom companies like Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance and Idea Cellular are up in arms against the sale being held as per schedule and have given ‘inadequate availability of spectrum’ as one of the reasons behind their opposition.

Mobile Tower

Network operators and TRAI are keen on having the auction held only once shortage problems have been solved, and enough 2G and 3G blocks can be sold off simultaneously, says NDTV Gadgets who got this story from PTI. DoT is depending on the Defense Ministry to relent and either vacate 5MHz spectrum in 17 service circles or do that as well as release an additional 15MHz on pan-India basis.

Also see: DoT looks to develop separate defense band to deal with spectrum crunch

The latter move can’t be pulled unless the Defense Ministry is prepared to swap the 2100MHz air waves it will be giving up for those in the 1900MHz frequency. Or it could decide not to cooperate at all and allow the dire predictions surrounding the auction to come true. The 2100MHz spectrum is worth Rs 5000 crores to the government, while the whole auction could fetch it up to Rs 9355 crores in revenue.

So you can see why DoT is hellbent on making sure the spectrum auction that is to be held in February, is not delayed.

Related Articles

Latest Posts