The government is likely to complete the process of spectrum auction, including the one for 2G services, by January-February 2013, a senior Finance Ministry official said today.
“SC has also asked them (DoT) to complete the process in a period of three to four months. They have said it is not feasible. But, the department is very clear that they would be able to complete it (by Jan-Feb timeline),” Finance Secretary R S Gujral said at an event organised here by CII.
The Supreme Court on February 2 had cancelled 122 telecom licences, awarded under the then telecom minister A Raja. It termed them illegal and asked the government to conduct fresh auctions within four months.
The government in the Budget 2012-13 has estimated that Rs. 40,000 crore would be raised through auction of spectrum, including the airwaves to be freed by cancellation of 122 licenses as per the Supreme Court order.
Mr. Gujral also said spectrum, apart from that for 2G services, is available with the ministries of information & broadcasting and defence. It is likely to be freed during the course of the year, he added.
DoT, in an application filed before the Supreme Court, has sought 400 days to complete the 2G auction process. DoT has mentioned that auctions can begin by December 20 and spectrum allocated to bidders in March next 2013.
