DoT to auction BWA spectrum on a pan-India basis after BSNL surrenders its spectrum

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plans to auction one slot of broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum on a pan-India basis after Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) surrenders its spectrum, say news reports.

DoT has given in-principle approval to BSNL’s request to surrender its BWA licence in nine circles.

At present, 20 MHz of BWA spectrum is available but not on a pan-India basis. DoT is already holding talks with the Ministry of Finance to auction the spectrum.

Prior to this, the Minister of Finance had written twice to DoT to immediately auction wireless broadband spectrum to raise funds.