Auction of phase III FM radio in 2013: I&B Ministry

The Empowered Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram has given a go a head nod to I&B Ministry to conduct auction of FM radio licenses in Phase III for 839 channels, which will be completed this year. 

While speaking at CASBAA India Forum 2013 I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma said, “EGoM cleared the proposal sent by I&B ministry for some changes in the RFP (Request for Proposal) for auction of FM radio in phase III and we will issue auction guidelines soon. We should be able to complete the auction of all the 839 radio stations this year. 

The clearance will help in setting up of 839 new radio stations in the country and will help the government garner revenues to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore, he added. 

In his Budget speech, Mr. Chidambaram said that the government proposes to expand private FM radio services to 294 cities. Presently 86 cities are covered by FM radio stations. The Ministry said this model should not be followed as the revenues in the case of radio stations are lower.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/broadband-and-iptv-news/item/1855-auction-of-phase-iii-fm-radio-in-2013-i-b-ministry.html