3G

After the Prime Minister's Office recently expressed its unhappiness over the inordinate delay, DoT has announced the fresh dates for 3G spectrum auction.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced fresh dates for 3G spectrum auction, after the Prime Minister's Office recently expressed its unhappiness over the inordinate delay. As per the new date the much awaited auction will happen on April 9. It would be followed by BWA spectrum auction.

3G allows simultaneous use of voice and data services and higher data rates (up to 14.0 Mbit/s on the downlink and 5.8 Mbit/s on the uplink with HSPA+). Thus, 3G networks enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral efficiency.

Recently, PMO has asked the Telecom Commission, the apex policy-making wing of the DoT, to take all necessary steps to conclude the auction of 3G airwaves by March 31, 2010. The government is looking to earn around Rs 35,000 cr in the spectrum auction. It would help the government bridge the gap created by the huge fiscal deficit which might go more than estimated 6.8% of the GDP.

Some of the developed and developing countries have already rolled out 3G services including Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, Austria, Singapore. India despite being one the fastest growing telecom markets is yet to auction the spectrum. At the same time services like Mobile Number Portability are delayed. These issues are giving a bad name to the telecom industry.

As per the press release issued, the DoT will issue notice on February 25, inviting applications from the interested parties. The last date of submission of application is March 19.

On March 26, the government will publish ownership details of the applicants. It would be followed by pre-qualification of bidders on March 30. The mock auction will happen on April 5 and 6. Two days after the close of 3G auction, the BWA auctions will happen.

It may be recalled that, 3G spectrum was scheduled to be auctioned on 14 January, this year. But due to time and again objections raised by Defense, Law, Finance and home ministries the auction was delayed.

Interestingly, industry people have now started talking about 4G technology, an advance technology.