Contrary to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendation that only incumbents should be allowed to bid for 3G licences, DoT has allowed international telecom players to participate in 3G spectrum auction.

Contrary to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recommendation that only incumbents should be allowed to bid for 3G licences, DoT has allowed international telecom players to participate in 3G spectrum auction. DoT has also decided to double the reserve price for the auction to Rs 22.6 billion against the Rs 14 billion suggested by TRAI. Reportedly, the new 3G policy which is awaiting the union cabinet’s approval will not require telecom operators to share their revenue with the government in the first year of operations. However, from the second year onwards, they will have to share 1 per cent of their revenues from 3G services.