Spectrum auction: Bids worth Rs 50,000 crore lodged on day three

New Delhi: A total of 21 rounds of bidding were completed Wednesday at the end of day three of the second generation (2G) spectrum or airwaves auction that began on 3 February, an official statement said. “The government received cumulative bids worth around Rs.50,000 crore at the end of the third day. Going forward, we expect bidding to move in a very robust way,” Telecom Secretary M.F. Farooqui told IANS. Eight mobile phone service providers are participating in the auction for 46 MHz in 900 MHz band and 385 MHz in 1,800 MHz band. [caption id=“attachment_1375907” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Eight mobile phone service providers are participating in the auction for 46 MHz in 900 MHz band and 385 MHz in 1,800 MHz band. Reuters[/caption] At the end of the third day of bidding, data released by the department of telecom showed that the 1,800 MHz band received bids in all 22 circles and the 900 MHz band received bids in all three circles which are up for auction. Highest demand for 900 MHz was seen from Delhi circle and in 1,800 MHz highest bid was seen in Assam and West Bengal circles. The eight mobile phone service providers participating in the auction are Reliance Communications, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Telewings, Aircel, Tata Teleservices and Idea Cellular. In the 900 MHz, Mumbai price shot up 71.7 percent more than the reserve price, Delhi went up by 59.5 percent and Kolkata by 54.2 percent. The number of blocks that are on offer in Mumbai is 16, Delhi 16 and Kolkata 14. Bharti Airtel’s 20-year licence is going to expire in Delhi and Kolkata circles and Vodafone India’s 20-year licences in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata circles are getting over in November this year. The total spectrum on offer is 46 MHz in 900 MHz band (only Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata) and 385 MHz in 1,800 MHz band (all 22 circles) simultaneously. The government targeted to mop up Rs.40,874.50 crore from spectrum auction in 2013-14. The auctioning of the airwaves is done to obtain a market determined price of the spectrum. This auction does not have any last date. It will go on every week from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. till the time telecom service providers keep bidding. The service providers will bid using fixed Internet Protocols (IP) as dynamic IP addresses are not allowed. The objectives of the auctions are to obtain a market determined price of spectrum in 1,800 MHz and 900 MHz bands through a transparent process; ensure efficient use of spectrum and avoid hoarding; stimulate competition in the sector; promote rollout of the respective services and maximise revenue proceeds from the auctions within the set parameters. Times Internet Limited and e-Procurement Technologies Limited are advising the government on the auction. Administration of the e-auction is the responsibility of e-Procurement Technologies Limited. IANS