DoT to finish spectrum auction by Feb next yr: FinMin

The government is likely to complete the process of spectrum auction, including the one for 2G services, by January-February next year, a senior Finance Ministry official said today.

"The time-line (for auctions) they (DoT) have indicated to us (Finance Ministry) is by January-February (next year), it will be cleared," Finance Secretary RS Gujral said at an event organised here by CII.

The Supreme Court on February 2 had cancelled 122 telecom licences, awarded under the then telecom minister A Raja. It termed them illegal and asked the government to conduct fresh auctions within four months.

"SC has also asked them (DoT) to complete the process in a period of three to four months. They have said it is not feasible. But, the department is very clear that they would be able to complete it (by Jan-Feb timeline)," Gujral said.

The government in Budget 2012-13 has estimated to raise Rs 40,000 crore through auction of spectrum, including the airwaves to be freed by cancellation of 122 licences as per the Supreme Court order.

Gujral also said spectrum, apart from that for 2G services, is available with the ministries of information & broadcasting and defence. It is are likely to be freed during the course of the year, he added.

DoT, in an application filed before the Supreme Court, has sought 400 days to complete the 2G auction process.

It has mentioned that it can start auctions by December 20 and allocate spectrum to bidders in March next year.