Telecom department defers spectrum auction to Feb 3

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended the dates of auction of spectrum in 1,800 megahertz (MHz) and 900 MHz bands. The auction will now start on Feb 3, next year, instead of Jan 23, it was announced Monday.

Total spectrum put to auction is 46 MHz in 900 MHz band and 403.2 MHz in 1,800 MHz band, an official release here said.

The DoT had issued a notice inviting applications (NIA) on Dec 12 in which it was mentioned that any changes in the auction timelines will be communicated through the DoT website and the participants have been requested to monitor the DoT website actively.

The revised dates are as follows: clarifications to NIA Jan 2; last date for submission of applications Jan 15; publication of ownership details of applicants Jan 20; bidder ownership compliance certificate Jan 23; pre-qualification of bidders Jan 25; last date of withdrawal of applications Jan 27; final list of bidders Jan 29; mock auction Jan 30 and 31; and start of the auction Feb 3.

The government expects to mop up Rs.4,000 crore from these auctions.