Govt plans to double 3G licence fees (India)

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: The Indian communications ministry is reportedly set to inform the new government that it is open to increase the reserve price for the auctions of pan-India 3G spectrum to INR 35.4 and auction up to eight slots of 3G spectrum. The reserve price for pan India 3G spectrum, according to the existing 3G policy is INR 20.2 billion , accommodating 5 players per circle. DoT plans to increase the reserve price and will ensure that finance ministry approves the hike for the upcoming 3G auction. The DoT has arrived at INR 35.4 billion by doubling the reserve price for Delhi, Mumbai and category A circles and increasing it 1.5 times for Kolkata and category B circles retaining the current base price for category C circles. The cabinet may look into the proposal within two weeks, communications and IT minister A Raja, reportedly said. If the ministry’s proposal gets green signal from the cabinet in its current format, the 3G auctions will be held within three months.