EGoM meet today to mull smaller-scale 3G auction

As the tussle between the defence ministry Department of Telecommunications continues, with the armed forces refusing to vacate more spectrum, DoT has been forced to reduce its 3G auction target to just three blocks instead of the four for each circle it had earlier envisaged.

In Rajasthan and the North-east, where it has even less spectrum, it will auction in only two blocks each.

Denying the defence ministry's claim that only 10 MHz of 3G spectrum was available for auction, scheduled for January 14, the department said, ''DoT does not agree with the defence ministry that the entire 60 MHz spectrum in the band 1920-1980 is with it and only 10 MHz of 3G spectrum released on signing of MoU is available for auction.''

As the empowered group of nine ministers prepares to meet today on the subject, the DoT has circulated a draft note contradicting the defence ministry's stand. DoT has rejected the defence ministry's claim that it holds as much spectrum as it needs in the 1920-1980Mhz band for the long-delayed auction of 3G frequencies. The auction is scheduled to be held next month.

''DoT does not agree with the ministry of defence that the entire 60Mhz of spectrum in the 1920-1980Mhz band, pan India, is with the defence (ministry) and that only 10Mhz 3G spectrum released by the defence (ministry) on signing of MoU is available for auction,'' it said.

The DoT said it is the custodian of spectrum and by its records, which were reconciled with the defence ministry in April 2007, 3G spectrum in the 1920-1980 MHz is available for commercial use, which can be assigned for 3G services.