EGoM fails to take decision on spectrum auction

An Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on telecom on Thursday discussed several issues regarding spectrum auction due this fiscal, but did not reach a final decision and would meet again on January 7.

“EGoM deliberated on 1800/900 MHz spectrum but it could not discuss CDMA (800 MHz). Auction does not seem possible by January 18 but will take place during this fiscal,” a top source said.

The telecom companies, whose licences have been cancelled by the

>Supreme Court order are allowed to offer their services till January 18.

The EGoM discussed the auction plan prepared by the Department of Telecom (DoT) after the Cabinet approved the sale of unsold GSM spectrum in 1800 Mhz band and in the premium 900 Mhz spectrum band.

“The EGoM deliberated on several issues for about two hours, then decided to meet again on January 7 to further deliberate on the issues,” Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters in New Delhi.