DoT to finalise spectrum auctioneer on 10 July
04 Jun 2012
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will finalise by July 10 the agency that will conduct the e-auction of spectrum in 22 telecom service areas.
According to the Supreme Court's directive, telecom licensor, the department of telecommunications, has to complete the spectrum auction before 31 August 2012.
Therefore, finalising the agency and auction has to be conducted on a war-footing, say commentators.
With the new date for selection of auctioneer, DoT will be left with roughly 45 days to finish the auction process.
In February, India's Supreme Court cancelled 122 2G licences issued after January 2008 on grounds they were issued in a ''totally arbitrary and unconstitutional'' manner (See: SC cancels all 2G licences, orders fresh spectrum auction).
The court also directed Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to make fresh recommendations for 2G licence allocations.