EGoM on 3G to meet on Aug 27

The empowered group of ministers (EGoM) on 3G mobile telephony is likely to meet on August 27 to decide on the reserve price and number of slots of spectrum to be auctioned.

The EGoM, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, is likely to discuss various issue, including the amount of 3G spectrum to be auctioned, annual spectrum charges, the number of operators in each telecom circle and the reserve price for 3G and broadband wireless services (WiMax), sources said.

During the last meeting, the EGoM had deliberated upon the three scenarios for fixing the reserve price for the auctions — Rs 1,010 crore by Trai, Rs 2,020 crore by DoT and Rs 4,040 crore by the finance ministry.

However, no decision was taken as the members wanted to study the issues in detail but the urgency to take a decision soon was underlined.

Sources also said that Department of Space has written a letter to the EGoM and suggested against the use of a particular frequency band for the proposed data services known as WiMax.

The department is understood to have said that only 2,535-2,690 MHz and 2,630-2,655 MHz bands should be considered for the WiMax services. The government constituted the EGoM on July 13 to look into matters relating to pricing of spectrum and the number of operators to be allowed in each telecom circle.

Once the EGoM takes a decision, a fresh timeline for auctions would be announced. Other members of the EGoM are Communications Minister A Raja, Cabinet ministers P Chidambaram, Sharad Pawar, Veerappa Moily, Ambika Soni, Prithviraj Chavan, and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.