The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning to conclude the upcoming 2G spectrum auction by August 31, 2012, say news reports.
This is the date the Supreme Court had given DoT for the same. Prior to this, DoT had asked the Court for 400 days to conduct the auction, but the Court had rejected its request.
Now, DoT has informed the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) established to oversee and take all decisions pertaining to the auction, of the new schedule. This timeline, however, has reportedly not been finalised.
It is believed that as per the new schedule, all the procedures pertaining to the auction process will be wrapped up by July 15, 2012. Thereafter, the information memorandum containing all details of the sale will be released.
So, in effect, this leaves DoT with 15-25 days to conduct the pre-bid conference, issue clarifications, invite applications for the sale process and check compliance.
Meanwhile, DoT has already issued requests for proposal (RFPs) to identify the auctioneer. Interested parties are reportedly required to submit their bids by June 11 and the auctioneer will be finalised on June 20.
