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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