3G services will come out on time: Raja

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) Communication and IT Minister A Raja today ruled out the possibility of any delay in the 3G auction process, saying the services will be rolled out ''on-time''.

''There is no question of stalling or delaying the auction process of 3G spectrum, it is going,'' Mr Raja told reporters here.

Following the global financial turmoil and the credit crunch, it was being suspected that the government may delay the radio frequencies auction process, scheduled for December-end.

The Minister also clarified that the government is not contemplating to allow partial payment of the bid prices by the telecom companies.

''There is no such move as of now...The current credit crunch will be taken into account but that does not mean we will dilute the law,'' Mr Raja continued.

However, he said he will talk to Prime Minister and Finance Minister, ''if the situation warrants''.

State-run telecom operators Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) are expected to roll out third generation mobile services in the national capital by December.

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