2G Auction : Auctioneers can now submit bids for spectrum by July 30

[Xen]

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has extended the deadline by 10 days, till month-end, for the submission of bids by potential auctioneers that will manage the spectrum auction.

As per new dates, potential auctioneers will have to submit bids by July 30 instead of July 20, the DoT said in a release today.

Sources said that the auctioneer, who will manage auction of airwaves in 1800 Mhz and 800 Mhz, will be finalised on August 8. Earlier a target date of July 26 was presented before the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) meeting last week.

The delay is mainly on account of pending decision of the EGoM on minimum price of airwaves for telecom services that companies will have to pay in auction, they said.

The EGoM is scheduled to meet on Friday to take view on spectrum price which may be referred to the Union Cabinet for final decision.

The sources said that the DoT has been asked to make a matrix of reserve price in the range of Rs 12,000 crore to Rs 18,000 crore and calculate its impact analysis in the sector, on the basis of spectrum usage charge in the range of 3-8 per cent.

Read More : Business Line : Industry & Economy / Info-tech : Auctioneers can now submit bids for spectrum by July 30