The department of telecommunications (DoT) failed to clear all outstanding issues at the pre-bid conference for the auction of third generation (3G) radio frequencies organised on Monday but did signal that the auction was on for now. There have been apprehensions in many quarters that the much awaited auction might be postponed for a second time.
Only foreign players, which were visible at the conference, were the US telecom major AT&T and the world’s largest chip maker, Intel. However, many others might have sent their representation through India-based consultants in a move to protect their identity. There were present a number of consultants like PWC, Dua Consultants and BDA etc.
Broadly, however, the conference was dominated by incumbent players such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar and Reliance Communications, as well as new licensees like Unitech Wireless, STel and Datacom etc. Apparent lack of foreign players may not however dent government’s revenue as there are more than 10 existing operators who are likely to compete for the four available slots.
The conference nonetheless failed to meet the objective behind it. The main idea was to address the concerns of telecom operators regarding a host of issues including availability of spectrum, number of slots etc. However, all that DoT told them on the issue was that precise information would be released on its website later.
Current stand of the DoT is that it would specify the available frequency and number of slots for 3G auction on December 8, when it would come out with a notice inviting applications. If the defence establishments are able to vacate the spectrum by then, it would go ahead with the auction of all the four slots. Otherwise, only available spectrum would be auctioned.