3G + Broadband Wireless Spectrum Auction – List of applicants
The list of Applicants for 3G Spectrum Auction is out and as expected foreign Telcos have stayed out. No surprises in the list of contenders for 3G Wireless spectrum and the list is as follows,
- Bharti Airtel
- Aircel
- Etisalat DB [ Rumored to have bid understanding with Reliance]
- Idea Cellular
Spectrum Policy – Consensus on M&A + Divergent Views on Trading
The day 2 of Wireless Spectrum Policy, Open House by TRAI saw discussion on M&A, Spectrum Trading and allo9tment of further spectrum for new entrants. You can read proceedings of Day-1 here. Here is an excerpt from the same.
Telecom M & A procedure likely to get diluted – There was near consensus on dilution of M&A norms. Most operators agree that the sector needs to consolidate and issues related to adequate competition should be left to the market forces. New entrants also seem to have accepted the changed market realities. However, there Read more
Wireless Spectrum Policy – TRAI Open House
The key discussion points and takeaways from the proceedings of TRAI’s Open House on Indian Wireless Spectrum is as below,
- Subscriber Number Based allocation ir-relevant – There was near consensus on the subscriber base no longer being the right parameter to be eligible for additional spectrum. Alternatives suggested include traffic based criteria or auctions for 2G spectrum. RCom and Tata Telservices did not raise the issue of their eligibility for 6.2Mhz (original allocation of 4.4Mhz), based on their current sub base in various circles.
2G GSM + CDMA Spectrum Allocation till Date Vs Subscribers in India
I undertook a joint study with an associate of mine on the distribution and allocation of 2G Wireless Spectrum in India across all Circles and all operators. The main motive of the study was of course to figure out viability of wireless broadband for various operators. However, I thought I’ll share the Spectrum that operators are holding to as it is now believed to be a Multi-Billion Dollar SCAM 
My associate has published the complete mobile spectrum allocation details here [ Recently, you heard A.Raja blaming it back on BJP Government, you can make the guess by browsing the Matrix ].
BSNL+ MTNL together are holding the highest Spectrum Read more
3G + WiMax Spectrum Auction to be Delayed
Close on the heels of DoT postponing the auction of 3G and WiMax Spectrum auction, the Finance Ministry has proposed to double the base spectrum charges for both 3G and WiMax. The reserve spectrum charge for 3G which was Rs 1650 2,020 crore earlier is now proposed to be Rs 4,040 crore while that for WiMax will be Rs 1,650 2,020 crore. [Excluding Rajasthan and North East where no spectrum is available, the reserve will be Rs 1,910 cr and proposed by FM will be 3,820 cr]
This proposed hike in reserve price unlikely to have any major impact on 3G bidding because the business case suggests that operators can shell out up to Rs 5,000 crore for pan India 3G license. However, for Wimax BWA spectrum the fees definitely looks higher as the Government was determined to push broadband to every remote corner of India. Any additional levies of administration fees, revenue sharing etc will impact 3G bidding.
The New Schedule for 3G + WiMax BWA Auction is as follows:
- Final Date of Applications – Jan-15
- Publication of Ownership Details – Jan-16 to Jan-19
- Bidder Ownership Compliance Certificates – Jan-20 to Jan-21
- Pre-qualification of bidders – Jan-22
- Mock Auction – Jan27 / Jan-28
- 3G Spectrum Auction on Jan-30th
- WiMax BWA Spectrum Auction – 2 days after close of 3G
Update your calendars and stay tuned for latest updates.
3G + BWA Auction – Spectrum Availability
The DoT has announced the time line for the auction of 3G Spectrum and BWA Spectrum. Earlier it was reported that BWA Auction would happen first. However, DoT is now auctioning the 3G spectrum first and BWA later. As proposed earlier, BSNL / MTNL have got a backdoor entry in all circles for both 3G and BWA spectrum and hence we exclude their reference in the rest of this article. Each operator is eligible for only one block in 3G and BWA [DoT will pre-scan applicants and qualify them for the bidding process] Hopefully, they will make the list of eligible participants public so that we can identify dummy companies like Swan once upon a time backed by RCom.
3G Spectrum Auction: 2x5MHz comprises a block in 2.1 GHz. The proposed date of auction is 16th Jan-2009.
- Expect intense bidding in Delhi and Gujarat Circles as only 2 blocks are available for auction.
- West Bengal excluding Kolkata has only 1 block available for auction.
- Mumbai, Kolkata, Karnataka, Mahrashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, UP(E), MP, Bihar, Orissa, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir have 4 spectrum blocks to be auctioned.
- UP(E) and Himachal Pradesh have 3 spectrum blocks, while Rajasthan and North East have None.
- Reserved bid amount is as published earlier.
BWA Spctrum Auction: 3 Blocks of 20 MHz available for auction across India in 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Proposd Date of Auction is 2 days from the day of close of 3G Auction.
While I fetch the final guidelines on the 3G + BWA auction, you can go ahead and make a guess on what the prices of winning bid are likely to be in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Gujarat, Mahrashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu [includes Chennai for 3G+ BWA auction] and Andhra Pradesh.
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