DoT, FinMin close to settling differences over 3G

Differences over the 3G spectrum auction reserve price between the the Department of Telecom and the finance ministry is being sorted out to push the bidding in a faster pace.    

"We are yet to arrive at the exact bid price but it could be between Rs 2,020 crore-Rs 4,040 crore, the two respective reserve prices quoted by DoT and the finance ministry respectively," a senior DoT official said.    

Market conditions are gradually improving. We will settle at a price which is acceptable to both the ministries, which could be about Rs 3,000 crore but the Cabinet has to give its approval for the rate, said the official.    

The government plans to get Rs 30,000 crore upwards out of the 3G spectrum auction.    

There is a good possibility, if everything woks out as per schedule drawn by the Department, that the auction could kick off in September-end or early October, said the official.    

Since we had approached Cabinet once and it is a major policy decision, we will take it up to the Cabinet again, he said.    

Telecom Minister A Raja had earlier said 3G services would start by the end of this year.