The Telecom Department is likely to introduce the first set of rules and regulations for the new telecom law within the next few months, Neeraj Mittal, Telecom Secretary, said.
He also said that the Government of India will look at the right opportunity to pare its stake in the cash-strapped Vodafone Idea.
The secretary, however, did not provide a specific timeline.
The new telecom law was enacted in December last year and replaced three outdated laws.
Talking at the sidelines of the Mobile Worlds Congress 2024, Mittal said that the department is targeting to conduct the next round of spectrum auctions early in the June quarter.
"We'll have to examine everything if there is an opportunity, there is a need for it, how do the next few months look in terms of their operations," Mittal said.
The Indian government's top official said they will sell their stake in the struggling telco at the right opportunity, but not immediately.
The Indian government is the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea, India's third-largest carrier, with a 31 percent stake.
The board of Vodafone Idea on February 27 approved plans to raise Rs 45,000 crore in equity and debt, including capital from its promoters.
The telecom department is exploring ways to facilitate the surrender of spectrum, including 3G, which telecom operators are phasing out.
"By 2030, we will need another possibly 1-2 GHz additional spectrum. So this is a continuous process, and if there is an opportunity for refarming or surrendering, we will look at it," Mittal said.
Experts said that surrendering the 3G spectrum can reduce telco liabilities and free up the spectrum for 6G services. Indian telcos bought 3G spectrum at steep prices and high-interest rates.
(The reporter is in Barcelona to cover the Mobile World Congress at the invitation of Xiaomi)
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