3G spectrum auction: Delhi attracts highest bid

New Delhi, Apr 21: In the auction for the radio frequency spectrum for third generation telecom services in India, Delhi continues to attract the highest bid at Rs 733.71 crore.

Mumbai came second with a price of Rs 667.77 crore, followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra with bids of Rs 643.37 crore and Rs 624.75 crore respectively.

According to the 3G spectrum update released by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on its website on Tuesday, Apr 20, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir failed to attract even a single bid.

The country's telecome giants began bidding for the 3G services on Apr 9. After 52 rounds of auction, the provisional winning price for a pan-India licence stands at Rs 6,354.23 crore.

This price is 81.5 per cent higher than the Rs 3,500 crore reserve price fixed by the government.

Even before the auction, state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) spectrum were awarded 3G services on the condition that they will pay the licence fee.

The auction was for the three to four slots sets aside for the private players in each of the 22 circles. Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Vodafone Essar, Idea Cellular, Tata Teleservices, Aircel, Etisalat, S Tel and Videocon Telecommunications are the contenders.

The government is expected to make a minimum of Rs 25,769.82 crore revenue from the bidding.

OneIndia News