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Mobile phone spectrum auction put off to Feb. 3

The government aims to raise aboutRs. 11,000 crore

India's planned mobile phone spectrum auction will start on February 3, the Government said on Saturday, delaying the bidding by 10 days from the original schedule.
The telecommunications ministry will auction airwaves in the 900 and 1800 megahertz frequency bands in the auction, which is crucial for leading carriers Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Group Plc's local unit to renew their permits in some key cities.

The government did not give any reason for the delay in a revised auction schedule posted on the telecommunications ministry's website, but it has yet to take a decision on a change recommended by the sector regulator in the annual fee carriers pay for using spectrum.
Carriers had urged the government to decide the annual spectrum fee before the start of the auction.
The government aims to raise about Rs. 11,000 crore ($1.8 billion) from the auction.
Prospective bidders will have to submit applications by January 15 to participate in the auction, according to the new schedule. — Reuters

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