Recommendations for third round of spectrum auction soon: TRAI

The recommendations for valuation and reserve price for the third round of spectrum auction would come “very shortly”, regulator Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman Rahul Khullar said on 26 August. “The recommendations will come very shortly,” said Khullar during an open house discussion on the matter.

Asked about the timeline, he said, “You can see our track-record in the broadcasting sector,” but refused to share a time-frame for the recommendations.

Insiders, however, say the recommendations are likely to come in the next 10-15 days.

“The last day to submit comments on spectrum trading is August 29 and after that it will take 10-12 days to give the recommendations,” sources said.

In July, the TRAI had invited comments on the quantity of spectrum that should be kept for auction, time that winner of airwaves should be given to roll out network and the method to be used for valuation and estimation of reserve price.

Regarding the matter, the Authority conducted an open house discussion wherein all the stakeholders participated and expressed their views.

The Government plans to refarm 900 Mhz band after the expiry of licences held by some operators in 2014.

Government is required to conduct the third round of spectrum auction to comply with a Supreme Court order that has directed it to auction entire spectrum freed from cancellation of 2G licences in February, 2012.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/telecom-news/item/3079-recommendations-for-third-round-of-spectrum-auction-soon-trai.htmlSource: http://cablequest.org/news/telecom-news/item/3079-recommendations-for-third-round-of-spectrum-auction-soon-trai.html