Presentation on upcoming spectrum auction on Feb 26

In order to explain the design, rules and procedures of the upcoming spectrum auction, the Department of Telecom will hold a presentation on February 26 for all stakeholders.

"A presentation is proposed to be held on February 26 on spectrum auction for various stakeholders and government officers to share with them the auction system and procedures," said a DoT official.

The session will consist of a presentation of the auction design, rules and electronic auction platform.

The government plans to sell the second-generation or 2G and third-generation 3G radiowaves in an auction scheduled to start from March 4.

Telecom firms of Ambani brothers Mukesh and Anil as well as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea are among the eight companies vying to buy spectrum in the biggest ever auction that may fetch the government about Rs 1 lakh crore.

Most of the spectrum being put up for the auction is presently held by Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Reliance Telecom. Their licences are expiring in 2015-16.

Idea Cellular's 9 circles, 6 circles of Airtel and 7 circles each of Vodafone and Reliance Telecom are coming up for renewal.

Overall there are 29 licences in 18 service areas which expire in 2015-16. These licences hold 184 MHz spectrum in the 900 MHz band and 34.2 MHz in 1800 MHz band.

It is mandatory for these companies to bid for spectrum if they have to continue offering mobile and other telecom services as their permit is expiring.

Proceeds from this year's auction are expected to help the government reach its fiscal deficit target of 4.1 per cent of GDP.