Details for 3G spectrum auction out

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 30

The government today issued details for auctioning 5 Mhz of the 2100 MHz spectrum across 17 out of 22 service areas at a pan-India base price of Rs 3,705 crore per megahertz. With the defence forces still to vacate the 15 MHz spectrum held by them in this band, the quantum of spectrum in 2100 Mhz band (3G) being put for auction is 75% less than the quantum recommended by telecom regulator TRAI and demanded by industry.

In the latest amendment to notice inviting application for spectrum auction set to start from March 4, the DoT has said only one entity will be able to win 3G spectrum in one service area.

One block of 5 MHz has been put for auction in all service areas except J&K, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab. This amounts to a total of 85 MHz from which government estimates to garner Rs 17,555 crore. Of this a sum of Rs 5,793 crore is expected to be realised in the current fiscal.