NEW DELHI: The auction for 3G, which was concluded on the 34th day (19 May) with the pan-India figure at the end of 183 rounds today being Rs 167,505.8 million, has been approved by the Government.
The total revenue to the exchequer is expected to be Rs.677,189.5 million. The government had hoped to collect Rs.35,000 million after auctioning the airwaves for both 3G services and broadband, even as the bidding for the latter is expected to commence on 22 May. Thus, the pan-India licence has gone up by nearly 378.58 percent over the base price. Frequencies in MHz were also allocated to the successful bidders.
The winning firms will have to deposit the money within 10 days from now and will be allowed to offer 3G services on a commercial basis from Sep 1.
Global investment bank Rothschild and telecom auction services provider dot.econ advised the government on the auctions.
Meanwhile, the Government today announced that the auction for bandwidth (BWA) will commence on 24 May.
Communication and Information Technology Ministry sources said Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd which have already been issued airwaves for 3G services will also have to pay this winner‘s price, collectively pegged at Rs.167,505.8 million. Jammu and Kashmir had the lowest bid at Rs.303 million.
