JOIN USThe government has extended the deadline to July 20 for submitting bids by prospective agencies to conduct e-auctioning of spectrum in 22 telecom service areas.
“...for selection of agency for e-auctioning of spectrum in 22 telecom service areas in India, the last date for submission of bid ... has been extended to 14.30 hrs on July 20, 2012,” sources in the Department of Telecom (DoT) said.
The auctioneer, as per the earlier schedule, was expected to be finalised by June 20.
The spectrum auctioning is vital for companies like Sistema Shyam Teleservices, Uninor and Videocon whose telecom licences have been cancelled by the Supreme Court but they are still looking to continue their services with fresh permits.
The Supreme Court has given these companies permission to operate till September 7, after which it is a must for them to get spectrum through auctioning.
For 3G and wireless broadband (BWA) spectrum in 2010, the DoT had adopted the auctioning route and global consultancy firm NM Rothschild and Sons had conducted the process. The process to start the selection of auctioneer was approved by the Empowered Group of Ministers on telecom headed by former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on May 2.