The finance ministry has endorsed the communications and IT ministry’s decision to limit the upcoming 3G auction to five players per circle. The communications ministry has explained to the finance ministry that it would not be prudent to auction away all the radio frequencies even in circles where more players can be accommodated as the government should hold some spectrum in reserve. Regarding the nine circles where there is inadequate spectrum to accommodate five players, the finance ministry’s proposal to have full-fledged auctions and put operators on a waiting list until they are awarded 3G spectrum, has been shelved. DoT will now auction only the available slots in these circles.
