Government plans to fetch nearly Rs 11,000 crore from the third round of spectrum auction, informed MF Farooqui, Secretary, Department of Telecom. He said on the sidelines of an event where BSNl and MTNl signed an agreement. He further added that the spectrum auction can be expected to take place in January.
Earlier, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in its recommendations had suggested up to 60 per cent cut in the floor price of mobile phone spectrum for the upcoming auction. The telecom regulator had made the suggestions after the two previous auctions saw a very lukewarm response due to the high reserve price.
As per DoT officials, an internal committee was drafted after receiving the TRAI recommendation and was to submit its report within 10 days. Talking about the status of the report, Farooqui said, “The report should come this month.” After receiving the standing committee’s report, the DoT would place the matter before the Telecom Commission. The stand taken by the Telecom Commission will be placed before the Empowered Group of Ministers on spectrum for a decision on the third round of auction, the source said.
For the current fiscal, the Government is aiming to generate a total revenue of Rs 40,874.5 crore from spectrum, including auction amount, one-time spectrum charge and annual regular licence fee.