Spectrum auction to fetch at least Rs 25,000 cr: Raja

Coimbatore, Jan 23 (PTI) The much-awaited auction of
radio waves for third generation mobile phone services, or 3G,
is expected to garner at least Rs 25,000 crore from private
bidders, Indian Communications and IT minister, A Raja said
here Saturday.
"As the Government has decided to hold the auction by
February end, it is expecting to fetch the amount as a
one-time payment from the bidders," he told reporters here.
The government expects to garner 35,000 crore from sale
of spectrum in this fiscal.
Raja, who was here to launch the 3G services of Bharat
Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Coimbatore and Nilgiris
Districts, said efforts are on to bring in technology that
would allow 2G sim card holders to use the services as well.
Asked about launching 4G services, he said the
International Telecom Union was opposed to it and there were
also certain technological problems.
"However, the services are expected in a year and it will
not have any adverse impact on 3G," he said.
On BSNL's declining market share, particularly
landlines, Raja said BSNL has 2.5 lakh workers and unlike
other players has more rural exchanges.
"BSNL has not just a commercial motive but a larger
social responsibility, for which it has to penetrate rural
areas," he said.
He said modalities were being worked on to simplify
procedures in calling for tenders, one of the reasons for
delays in implementation of projects in the public sector.
He also noted that intense competition had led to private
players demanding a minimum tariff to survive in the market.
PTI