The Government of India has shelved the spectrum auction for awarding spectrum in the 1800 MHz band and the 900 MHz band. The government had plans of completing the spectrum auction by March 2013.
The government had to cancel the spectrum auction since it failed to attract even a single bid application from GSM operators. The majority of GSM service providers including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular did not file documents to participate in the spectrum auction scheduled for March 2013. The last date for the submission of documents was February 25, 2013.
The operators have kept away from auctions on the grounds that the base price set by the government for the spectrum in the 1800 MHz band and the 900 MHz band is too high. However, in the 800 MHz band, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited will be awarded spectrum at the base price, since it was the only operator to have submitted its bid for the auction.
Following, the cancellation of the spectrum auction, the government plans to take the matter to the Empowered Group of Ministers, which would be suggesting the roadmap ahead.
