3G in India

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DAVOS: India's largest mobile operator Bharti Airtel today said it was disappointed by 3G spectrum auction being postponed until next fiscal, but
would participate when it takes place.

"It has been going on for the last three years...We can do nothing until the government starts the auction. We are ready to participate in the auction," Bharti Airtel Chairman and Managing Director Sunil Mittal told PTI on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meet here.

The government, according to sources, has taken a view that auction should be held only when the spectrum is available to distribute among the players.


Bharti Airtel disappointed with 3G auction delay- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

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NEW DELHI: The much-delayed 3G auctions are set to face fresh hurdles that can derail the entire process for good. In what may well be a major
embarrassment for the communications ministry and telecom minister A Raja, two internal wings of the department of telecom (DoT) have pointed out a slew of loopholes in the proposed policy for the auction of 3G airwaves. The two wings, which include the DoT’s finance wing and wireless division, have pointed out as many as eight policy loopholes that must be addressed first before the airwaves sale can take place.


3G auctions: DoT wings find fault lines- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

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No formal decision on timing of 3G spectrum auction: Fin Secy- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

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NEW DELHI: The finance ministry has said it is keen on the 3G auction in the current fiscal itself, but is not yet counting for the proceeds from
the auction in the current financial year, indicating a somewhat lower energy in the government for completing the auction before March 31.

“We are not looking at money this year... We are not accounting for it. The auction can happen whenever the schedule permits,” said finance secretary Ashok Chawla.


Govt unsure of completing 3G auctions by March 31- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

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KOLKATA: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is unhappy with the delay in the multi-billion-dollar 3G spectrum auction. It has asked the Telecom
Commission, the apex policy-making wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), to take all necessary steps to conclude the auction of 3G airwaves by March 31, 2010. It also wants DoT to ensure that such 3G spectrum is made available to four private service providers in all 22 circles, in addition to the slot reserved for state-owned BSNL and MTNL (only Delhi and Mumbai).

“The PMO is unhappy about the uncertainty in the 3G spectrum auction, especially since the nine-member empowered group of ministers (EGoM) headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has already fixed a definite timeline for concluding allotment of 3G airwaves by September in a specified number of slots per circle. Which is why it has written to DoT to speed up the process and conclude the auction by March 31, 2010, in step with the spectrum auction-cum-allotment timeline approved by EGoM,” a senior government official familiar with the matter told ET.


PMO wants DoT to complete 3G auctions by Mar 31- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

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NEW DELHI: The government has finally set the ball rolling on the auction of 3G spectrum. The Department of Telecom (DoT) announced April 9, 2010,
as the day when the auction of the long-pending 3G airwaves would start. The telecom department will issue the notice inviting application (NIA) for bids from prospective bidders from Thursday.

As per the schedule released by DoT on Wednesday, the pre-qualification of bidders would take place on March 30, mock auctions would be held on April 5 and 6. The Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) or Wimax spectrum auction would start two days after the close of 3G auctions.


3G auctions to begin from April 9- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

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NEW DELHI: The government today said the upcoming auction of radiowaves for the third generation mobile services will open the doors for foreign
players to make an entry into fast growing Indian telecom market.

The Economic Survey 2009-10 tabled in Parliament today said that "... This (launch of 3G technology) will provide existing operators a good opportunity as also foreign players to make an entry into the Indian market and bring in new technology and innovation."


3G spectrum auction to open doors for foreign players in India- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

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NEW DELHI: India on Thursday issued notices inviting bids from private telecom players to participate in the auction of radio frequency spectrum for third generation (3G) telephony, allowing three private players in most circles and four in five states including Punjab and Bihar.

The schedule for the spectrum auction:
Notice inviting applications - Feb 25
Last date of submission of application - March 19
Publication of ownership details of applicants - March 26
Pre-qualification of bidders - March 30
Mock auction - April 5-6
Start of 3G auction - April 9
Start of broadband spectrum auction - Two days after the close of 3G auction

MORE INFO - Government issues 3G auction notices, outlines process- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

[AvidWatcher]

I wont be surprised if it is delayed for the 'n'th time. Few countries have begun 4G. Gradually the other countries excluding India will start 4G. We are always the last ones. Shame on the policy makers of India.

2 things: The smaller operators are delaying 3G until they set up shop, since only 4 winners in each circle for 3G. Secondly, the established operators are delaying mobile number portability - newer operators are offering competitive tariffs and this includes the advent of per second billing.

End result: Customer is the loser due to selfishness of the existing and new operators. Government looks on helplessly.

 

[icycool25]

Happy to know that 3G auctioning will finally start on April 9, 2010. Hope it doesn't get delayed anymore...! And also waiting for MNP to get enforced at the earliest. We really need to hit the ass of the existing operators who have created a monopoly.