India has extended the auction of 3G spectrum to January 30, 2009 so that the possible bidders get enough time to flip over the bid documents and rules for the auction. As well as applications to become a bidder has also been postponed to January 15, 2009.
Once the3G spectrum auction gets over, two days later auctioning of 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz bands, for faster mobile broadband networks such as WiMAX, will be carried on. The auction will provide both domestic and foreign companies to choose the 2.1GHz wireless frequency, used for HSPA-based 3G data network services.
Kapil Dev Singh, country manager at research firm IDC India, comments “The mobile phone is now seen as a necessity.”
The auction supposed to be a lively one as its contestants are both Indian and foreign companies, where in India’s mobile market show a growth of over 10 million new users a month. The winner of 3G license will also be able to offer services under the 2G spectrum.
Analysts remarked that 3G is not expected to drive revenue immediately, but the auction may serve the market for 2G services that has already been set by them.