3G auction likely to be postponed, CCEA yet to approve the policy (India)
3G auction may be postponed by at least a few weeks as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) is yet to approve the policy relating to the services. The delay in 3G spectrum could lead to delay in start of high-end mobile services like high-speed wireless internet in India. The DoT had decided to take the Cabinet’s approval on higher 3G spectrum charge and number of blocks to be auctioned in each circle.
The officials said, the Telecom Commission had discussed the issue in its meeting on December 19, further adds that the decision to go to the Cabinet was taken as a precaution in view of the allegations during the allocation of 2G spectrum and new licences in January this year.
According to the Sources, in case the approval was delayed beyond January 2009 the entire process of auctioning of 3G spectrums and the start of high-end mobile services may get derailed due to the general elections. The absence of foreign players from a pre-bid conference held by DoT may not fetch the expected revenue, can be considered as one of the reason for govt. to delay the process.
