3G auctions to begin from April 9: Telecom Ministry

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The Telecom Ministry has said that I would start its third-generation wireless spectrum (3G Spectrum) auctions from April 9. The deadline for submission of interest is March 19, the statement said.

 

The schedule announced by the government for the 3G auctions is as under:

 

Notice inviting applications: February 25 , 2010

 

Last date of submission of application: March 19, 2010

 

Publication of ownership details of applicants: March 30, 2010

 

Pre-qualification of bidders: March 30, 2010

 

Mock auctions: April 5 and April 6, 2010

 

Start of 3G auctions: April 9, 2010

 

Start of BWA auctions: Two days after the close of 3G auctions

 

How will 3G benefit the telecom sector in India?

 

In an emerging economy like India, there would be a lot of unexplored possibilities in value added services like location based services after the introduction of 3G, thus resulting in increased revenues to telecom companies.

 

"We anticipate need for at least 200,000 additional tenancies, more towers in urban areas," Manoj Tirodkar of GTL Infra said. He said 3G auction is a "huge positive" for companies like GTL Infra.

 

What is 3G?

 

The new 3G technology is a faster and enhanced mobile communications service that provides broadband like experience on mobile phones and enables users to experience the power of Internet on the move.  3G networks provide both the capacity and coverage to minimize the number of sites needed when compared with other technologies, while offering high data rates and exceptional customer experience.

 

Users will also be able to access high-end data services including ultra-fast internet, video-conferencing, interactive gaming and mobile TV services by next year when the operators roll out their commercial 3G services.

 

3G has the capacity to drive down the cost of a wide range of devices - from mobile phones, data cards and embedded laptops today, to wireless consumer electronics devices in the future.