The department of telecommunications (DoT) has issued the much-awaited notice inviting applications (NIA) from potential bidders to buy 2G spectrum in the auction starting January 23.
The industry, that needs airwaves to expand coverage and also prepare for future technologies under the new liberalised bandwidth regime, has keenly awaited the issue of the NIA which lays down the rules and regulations for the auction, especially top operators such as Bharti AirtelBSE -0.76 % and Vodafone India, who are keen to retain airwaves in the 900 Mhz band in circles such as Delhi and Kolkata where their permits expire late next year.
With reserve prices slashed by 50% compared to the rates fixed for the "failed" March auctions, the government is betting on earning over Rs 40,000 crore from sale of airwaves to counter a steep fiscal deficit.
The NIA allows for the sharing of liberalised spectrum without any additional one-time charge. It also gives an in-principal approval for trading of radiowaves.
【News source】
Next round of 2G auctions on Jan 23
Govt sets ball rolling for spectrum auction, but lack of clarity a worry
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