3G spectrum through auction, allotment

New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) The Government today said the 3G spectrum will be auctioned or allotted directly and the foreign players can also bid for the same.

''The 3G spectrum will be given either through auction or will be directly allotted. We have worked out a criteria incase it is allotted,'' Telecom Secretary D S Mathur told reporters here on the sidelines of a conference.

The existing and even the new players including the foreign players can bid for the 3G licenses, he added.

Mr Mathur was speaking on the sidelines of the curtain raiser ceremony for the India Telecom 2007 organised jointly by Ficci and Department of Telecommunications (DOT).

Meanwhile, Minister of Communications and IT Thiru A Raja said that the growth in urban areas has not kept pace with the rural areas.

''We are working hard to correct this imbalance by shifting our focus to small towns and rural areas to maximise geographical coverage. This has paid rich dividends as the growth in the rural sector has started gaining momentum.'' The Minister further said the telecom sector is adding more than seven million subscribers every month and have almost reached 250 million subscribers three months ahead of the target date.

''We need to marry our expertise in software and IT with our telecom R&D for optimal utilisation of our potential. The R&D activities are long term projects and require continuous nurturing and financial support for sustenance and for delivery of results,'' Mr Raja said.

UNI