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India's 3G License Auction to Take Place in January - Maybe
India's Department of Telecoms (DoT) has announced the latest dates for the country's oft-delayed 3G license auctions. The auction, which had been expected to take place in December, will now start on 14th January 2010. A practice run will take place a couple of days prior to the live auction.
The formal invitation for companies to enter the auction will now be sent out on the 8th December, with final applications due by the 21st December. The government is hoping to raise US$5.4 billion from the auctions.
Auctions for WiMAX licenses and radio spectrum in the 800Mhx bands will start, as originally planned, two days after the 3G license auction finishes. The government has also made a few changes to the eligibility, specifically around funding and the permits for foreign bidders to participate in the auction.
However, the government did say that the dates could be amended again.
The full document is on the DoT website.
Service area-wise 3G Spectrum to be auctioned (indicative)
| Service area | Category |
Reserve price (Rs. cr) |
Total paired frequency bandwidth to be allocated (MHz) | No. of 2x5 MHz blocks available for auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Metro | 320.00 | 15 | 2 |
| Mumbai | Metro | 320.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Kolkata | Metro | 120.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Maharashtra | A | 320.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Gujarat | A | 320.00 | 15 | 2 |
| Andhra Pradesh | A | 320.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Karnataka | A | 320.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Tamil Nadu | A | 320.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Kerala | B | 120.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Punjab | B | 120.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Haryana | B | 120.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Uttar Pradesh (E) | B | 120.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Uttar Pradesh (W) | B | 120.00 | 20 | 3 |
| Rajasthan | B | 120.00 | 0 | 0 |
| Madhya Pradesh | B | 120.00 | 25 | 4 |
| West Bengal | B | 120.00 | 10 | 1 |
| Himachal Pradesh | C | 30.00 | 20 | 3 |
| Bihar | C | 30.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Orissa | C | 30.00 | 25 | 4 |
| Assam | C | 30.00 | 25 | 4 |
| North East | C | 30.00 | 5 | 0 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | C | 30.00 | 25 | 4 |
Posted to the site on 26th October 2009