The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expecting to raise Rs 397.98 billion as just the base price of spectrum through the second round of spectrum auction to be held by March, 2013, say news reports.
Further, to encourage telecom operators to participate in the auction, DoT has increased the number of slots to be put up for the spectrum auction. It plans to auction 12 slots each in the 1800 MHz and 900 MHz bands. Each slot is of 1.25 MHz and the operators will be allowed to bid for at least four slots. Also, the potential bidders can only bid for a maximum of 25 per cent of the spectrum that will be put up for auction in a particular region.
DoT is finalising the rules for the upcoming spectrum auctions. It will be sharing the notice inviting applications (NIA) with the potential bidders by next month. As per the NIA being drafted by DoT, new players can also bid in the upcoming spectrum auction. DoT will hold spectrum auctions for the 1800 MHz and the 900 MHz bands simultaneously. And the successful bidders will be awarded unified licences.
