Updated: 3G Auction completed after 34 days of bidding

[kesav 127]

New phone cos to be allowed to bid for 3G

New Delhi: India’s department of telecommunications, or DoT, plans to allow new telecom aspirants, apart from foreign companies such as AT&T Inc. and BT Group Plc. to bid for fresh telecom licences for offering so-called third generation, or 3G, phone services in the country.

Indian telecom regulator Trai had recommended in September 2006 that only existing firms be allowed to bid for such licences as they can then pair the spectrum with existing networks.

“We could allow other new, prospective services providers to bid for these licences, but they will have to obtain a UAS licence after they succeed in bidding,” said a senior DoT official who did not want to be named. Indian telecom regulations mandate signing of a universal services access licence, or UASL, by telecom aspirants to be able to offer phone services in the country.

The 3G mobile phone services allow users to surf the Internet or download content, including music and video, at speeds faster than allowed by current technologies deployed on Indian cellular networks.

The government could earn around Rs20,000 crore from an auction of radio spectrum to phone firms offering 3G mobile phone services later this year.

“It has been DoT’s philosophy to introduce as many players as possible in order to lower the tariffs, allowing the market to decide on the number of players needed,” said Romal Shetty who heads research firm KPMG’s telecommunications practice. “This move will further allow foreign companies such as Deutsche Telecom AG and AT&T to enter the Indian market.”

Union information technology and communications minister Andimuthu Raja hadsaid in November that the government would auction up to 25MHz of frequency required for delivering 3G phone services, allowing up to five companies to offer such services.

However, it wasn’t immediately clear whether DoT would allow new entrants to participate in the auction or limit them to phone firms already offering services in the country.

Meanwhile, Indian mobile phone firms, such as Bharti Airtel Ltd and Reliance Communications Ltd are readying more profitable offerings as their average customer billings shrink with a service that is predominantly led by voice.

The average revenue per user for 3G services “could range anywhere between Rs500 and Rs700 depending upon the pricing strategies adopted by the operators,” a Mumbai-based telecom analyst at a foreign brokerage house, who did not want to be named, had told Mint in February.

“We could see around 15 million 3G customers in the first year of launch.”

source :: http://www.livemint.com/2008/03/18230846/N...allowed-to.html

Govt. works in topsy-turvy way.

TRAI says no for new players

Minsiter says yes

DoT says no enough spectrum

Now DoT says its possible

God only knows what will be end result.

But as consumer, I always pray for new entrants in 3G.

If not, our current telecom companies will loot customers by providing expensive sub-standard data service.

[kshah 452]

Dear friend

3G globally in not earning too much profit except Japan

In India Govt is simply killing it by delaying the spectrum

In my opinion Wimax will disturb all plans of

3G

Because 3G is very expensive world over.

And speed reviews are pathatic in GSM, only CDMA users are happy with data speeds. Ask any GSM user, will be very unhappy. Who will prefer to pay Rs. 20 -40 (US $ 0.5 to US $ 1) per 5 min video clip?

[HetalDP 947]

Dont worry all!!! 3G will come after 2009 end or early 2010, Enjoy you 2G service and Handsets till then.

[kesav 127]

Finally, 3G auction is here to start............

Enjoi....................

:clap:

DoT proposes tough roll-out obligations for 3G services

New Delhi (PTI): The government has proposed stiff network roll-out obligations for next generation (3G) mobile service providers, failing which they will have to pay a hefty penalty for hoarding spectrum or the radio frequency.

"If operators do not achieve their roll-out obligations, they would be given one year within which to fulfill their roll-out obligations. Within this one year, the operators would be fined a spectrum cess of 2.5 per cent of their winning auction per quarter," Department of Telecom (DoT) said in its proposed guidelines for auction and allotment of spectrum for 3G services.

"If operators do not complete their roll-out obligations even within the one year grace period, their spectrum assignment would be cancelled and the spectrum would be allocated via an auction to a new operator," the DoT said.

Moreover, no entity related to the defaulting operator would be permitted to participate in the subsequent auction.

The operators would be allocated spectrum (radio frequency) in 2.1 GHz band through a process of auction.

The successful bidder would get a Unified Access Service (UAS) license for 3G services (by paying the required entry fee) and the operators would not be eligible for 2G spectrum on this license, the proposed guidelines said.

The bidders/service providers can make bids for spectrum up to a maximum of two blocks of 2x5 MHz each in 2.1 GHz band for various telecom service areas.

source :: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200803191655.htm

[kesav 127]

3G winners may have to match highest bid

NEW DELHI: There may be yet another twist in the auction for third generation (3G) spectrum. The DoT plans to introduce a condition to the auction process which stipulates that all successful bidders must mandatorily pay the same spectrum fee as that of the highest bidder.

Even as the winner will be determined through a ‘controlled ascending e-auction’ rather than a direct auction, the DoT is also of the view that if all successful bidders (who are awarded 3G spectrum) are asked to match the price quoted by the highest bidder, it will significantly increase the government’s revenues from 3G auction.

The auction for 3G spectrum will be held circle-wise. Between three and five operators are likely get 3G spectrum per circle, depending on the availability of radio frequencies. One slot will be reserved for state-owned telcos - BSNL and MTNL, but the PSUs will have to pay the price equal to the highest bid. The Telecom Commission, the apex body of the DoT, is therefore of the view that if BSNL and MTNL are made to match the price quoted by the highest bidder for 3G spectrum, then the other successful bidders too must be made to follow suit. ET has learnt that though the Telecom Commission favored the introduction of this clause to the auction process, the DoT is yet to take a final call on the issue.

“For the initial one-time spectrum charge, a controlled, simultaneous, ascending e-auction will be conducted by a specialised agency for selecting the two service providers other than BSNL/MTNL. All three service providers should pay the same spectrum charge (the highest bid) determined by the e-auction,” the Telecom Commission said in an internal note. However, the DoT, in its draft 3G policy has said that details were being worked out and it was yet take a final call on the issue.

Here’s how the ‘controlled ascending’ auction, which will be conducted online: If only two operators are to be chosen for Delhi, all players will first place their bids. If more than two players place bids above the base price, the auction will continue after eliminating the lowest bidder and the second-lowest bid will be the base price for the next round.

At the same time, the amount of the second-lowest bid and the highest bid will also be made public. In the next round, bidders can increase their bids or keep them at their older value. The process will continue till two operators emerge as winners. Finally, all three players (including BSNL/MTNL) will pay the same spectrum charge as the highest bidder. This method was first developed for the US Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) spectrum auctions in 1994 and has been used for all subsequent spectrum auctions by the FCC.

As reported earlier by ET, the DoT does not want a straight auction for 3G spectrum as it feels that this may lead to a situation similar to that in the mid-1990s, when many players could not pay the astronomically high amounts they had bid. The DoT has also said that so far, the experience with straight telecom and broadcasting licence auctions - in Europe and in India - has not been fully satisfactory.

source :: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/N...how/2885772.cms

Good move for level-playing field

[kesav 127]

US raises $19b in spectrum sale

NEW DELHI: On March 18, global telecom and internet companies bid $19.59 billion (Rs 78,360 crore) for rights to radio spectrum licences in the 700 MHz band in the US. This is twice the amount that the US government had budgeted from the spectrum sale, making history as America's most lucrative spectrum auction.

Telecom analysts point out that if the US, with 260 million mobile phones and a mobile teledensity of over 80%, can rake in this kind of money, India, with a little over 230 million mobile phones and mobile teledensity of 21%, clearly justifies a higher spectrum pricing, given its greater head room for growth.

They add that bidders ought to be willing to pay a premium in a market that is expected to add 300 million new subscribers - roughly, the equivalent of America's entire population - for access to the Indian mobile network over the next three years.

However, in the same period (January to March 2008), the Indian government raised only Rs 9,000 crore ($2.2 billion) from the award of 120 licences that come with a promise of 4.4 to 6.2 MHz of start up 2G spectrum.

"Informal offers already suggest that the price of spectrum in India is not markedly lower than that in the US. The only difference is that in India, this value will be realized by a handful of private players rather than the government," says telecom consultant, Mahesh Uppal.

The US is awarding 62 MHz of spectrum to winners, compared with roughly 30 MHz of start up spectrum in India in the 1800/1900 MHz bands spread across six to seven operators per circle. An apples-to-apples comparison shows that 62 MHz of 2G spectrum in India (at 2001 prices) would fetch no more than Rs 20,000 crore, which is Rs 58,000 crore less than what it would in the US.

Comparisons based on MHz/POP, a metric used by bidding companies valuing spectrum vis-a-vis the total population (market size) - are starker still. In India, spectrum was sold at Rs 3 per MHz/POP while the Americans managed to auction it for Rs 229 per MHz/POP - 75 times what the Indian government earned.

The US government had fixed a reserve price of Rs 40,000 crore ($10 billion) for the precious 700 MHz band, firmly establishing the commercial value of spectrum as a scarce national resource. All eyes are now on India's 3G auction plans where Trai has recommended a limited auction.

source :: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/US_rais...how/2896443.cms

This should give good indication of the real market value of the scarce national resource.

Govt should wake up and realize the true potential of spectrum sale.

[kesav 127]

3G policy cleared by Telecom Commission

New Delhi, March 25: The Telecom Commission, the apex body of the department of telecom (DoT), has cleared a policy on third generation (3G) mobile services rollout.

According to the policy, 3G radiowaves will be auctioned in tranches of 5MHz to service providers that win the bid to roll out these services.

The commission has also decided to reserve a slot in each circle for the two PSU telecom players — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) — which would not have to bid in the auction process but would have to pay a price equal to the highest bidder to get 5MHz of 3G spectrum.

Initially, the government will dole out 30MHz of 3G spectrum, including the 5MHz reserved for BSNL and MTNL. This means a maximum of five telecom players can bid for a 3G licence as each successful bidder will be given 5MHz spectrum in the 2.1GHz band.

The Congress-led government plans to roll out 3G mobile services from April, ahead of the release of extra spectrum for telecom companies for 2G services.

“As the Telecom Commission has finalised the guidelines, the matter will now be taken up with the political leadership for clearance,” said officials.

3G services will bring in high-speed broadband connectivity on mobile handsets. This will set the stage for data services such as video on demand and mobile TV.

Operators also need 3G spectrum as it can accommodate more users in a lesser bandwidth compared with existing mobile technologies. The commission has also decided to allow existing operators as well as new players and foreign telcos to bid for third generation frequencies during the auction.

Existing CDMA and GSM players are against the entry of foreign players in 3G. They have written to the DoT threatening legal action if new players are allowed to participate in the auction.

Industry analysts said as 3G spectrum could be used both for voice and high-speed data applications, many foreign operators could consider this route to enter the traditional voice and SMS segment, which is now offered through 2G spectrum.

However, DoT officials said foreign players were most likely to form alliances with existing telecom operators to bid for 3G licence as that would “enable them to utilise the established infrastructure”.

source :: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080326/jsp/...ory_9057330.jsp

That's a great news guys.......

:clap:

Edited March 26, 2008 by kesav

[srk006 21]

3G policy cleared by Telecom Commission

.........................The Congress-led government plans to roll out 3G mobile services from April, ahead of the release of extra spectrum for telecom companies for 2G services.

...........

source :: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080326/jsp/...ory_9057330.jsp

That's a great news guys.......

:clap:

Which April is it- April'08 or the next year?

[kshah 452]

before general elections. Means max next April.

[srk006 21]

oh no another 1yr wait! I'm getting tired of waiting..

[shashank 8]

Iam getting old of waiting

[kesav 127]

Another twist to great Indian Dhamasa

Govt wants 3 players for 3G

NEW DELHI: The government has decided to restrict 3G market for telecom services to just three players till spectrum beyond 30 MHz is made available.

After much debate on the quantum of 3G spectrum to be auctioned, the Telecom Commission — the country’s apex telecom policy-making body — has decided that initially 2x10 MHz of spectrum may be allowed to each of the three service providers.

For initial one-time spectrum charge, a controlled simultaneous, e-auction will be conducted by a specialized agency for selecting two service providers other than BSNL/MTNL.

All the three service providers will pay the same spectrum charge, which is the highest bid determined by the e-auction. It is undecided whether BSNL/MTNL will participate in the bidding or match the highest bid. Further, it has been decided that the period for allotment of spectrum will coincide with the period of the service licence.

Besides the initial one-time spectrum charge, it has been recommended that service providers pay an additional spectrum charge of 0.5% of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as a recurring annual charge. This amount will increase to 1% after three years. The government plans to clearly indicate this in documents calling for bids.

3G bidding is expected to see a fierce battle between some of India’s largest service providers. The decision of the government to allot only two 3G slots to private operators has major ramifications.

Firstly, it will mean that among existing players Bharti, Reliance, Tata, Vodafone, Idea and Spice only two will be able to make the cut. Secondly, some new licensees like Videocon, Unitech and Shyam could join the fray, but their ability to outbid some of

India’s largest and richest service providers remains questionable. The only way that more than two service providers apart from BSNL/MTNL can enter the 3G space would be for the government to modify its recommendations from the current decision of two slots of 10 MHz each, down to six slots of 5 MHz, allowing companies to bid for and acquire upto two 5 MHz slots.

The fate of TRAI’s recommendation limiting auctions to existing licence holders is uncertain. Both TRAI and DoT have attracted

criticisms from the CVC, Competition Commission, PMO and finance ministry for the manner in which 2G spectrum has been squandered.

source :: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Govt_wa...how/2908328.cms

[KumaarShah 143]

All this will only eventually lead to legal hassles and the introduction of 3G will take another 5 years, by which time the world would be enjoying 10G. Useless babus and ultra useless operators.

[kesav 127]

Spectrum Auctioning: DoT may keep slots of 5MHz for auctioning to allow more WiMax players

The DoT is reportedly considering auctioning spectrum in slabs of 5MHz instead of the earlier consideration of 10 MHz in a bid to enable more WiMax players to receive spectrum.

DoT has earmarked 80MHz of spectrum in the 2.5MHz band and is planning to allow each operator to bid for four slots which means that a successful bidder stands to receive upto 20MHz of spectrum.

Earlier Trai had recommended slots of 10MHz and had not specified the maximum amount of bandwidth for which an operator can bid for.

source :: http://www.telecomtiger.com/fullstory.aspx?storyid=1340

[kesav 127]

Bharti Airtel tests 3G services; set to launch operations

NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said it has successfully tested 3G applications with various equipment suppliers and is all set to start services as and when the spectrum was allocated.

"We have tested 3G applications at three places - Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore - on a trial indoor spectrum given to us," Bharti Airtel President (Mobility) Sanjay Kapoor said.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has already announced to allot 3G spectrum through auction and the existing players like Airtel are gearing to start 3G service which enables subscribers much faster downloading facility and also wireless broadband.

Asked whether Bharti Airtel has the technology to offer 3G mobile services, Kapoor said, "We as an operator have 3G services in Seychelles. Our license for Sri Lanka is for 3G services as well and by the time 3G services are launched in India we will have enough experience.

"Moreover, we have SingTel as our partner who has wide experience of offering 3G services," he said adding that for an operator who has 2G operations, 3G is just an incremental service.

On the equipment suppliers, with whom Bharti tested the services, Kapoor declined to specify their names but said they engaged more than one network companies.

Currently Swedish network company Ericsson and Nokia of Finland are vying for market share in the 3G space besides Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE.

source :: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_b...how/2916984.cms

[kshah 452]

kesav it seems you are following 3G even closer than government.

[kesav 127]

Vietnam model for 3G pre-bid process?

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is actively looking at international models for rolling out 3G (third generation) mobile phone services in India. DoT officials have found the Vietnam model particularly interesting, and are exploring the pros and cons of following it here, according to sources.

In Vietnam, the ministry of information and communications is examining the 3G applicants on 200 standards.

The telcos are being given two months to complete the examination document, after which their performance would be assessed on that.

The idea is to select the four most capable networks for offering 3G services, and prevent wastage of precious spectrum. Vietnam is planning to impose stringent rollout obligations on the 3G licencees also.

If India is to follow the Vietnam model, the selection of 3G licencees will be a two-level process. In a pre-bid process, the applicants will be screened based on a Vietnam-style detailed examination. An auction will follow to select the winners. The Telecom Commission is yet to finalise the modalities and eligibility conditions for allocation of 3G licences.

The recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) may be followed by the DoT for 3G licence auction.

Last year, TRAI had recommended the auction route for 3G licences, with a total base price of around Rs 1,050 crore at a national level. While for Mumbai, Delhi and A circle cities/towns, the base price was set at Rs 80 crore each, that for Chennai, Kolkata and B circle cities/towns was Rs 40 crore each. For C circle cities and towns, the base price was Rs 15 crore each.

Subsequently in November 2007, DoT announced that auction route would be followed for allocating 3G licences, but details and the timing of the process were not unveiled.

3G refers to the next generation of mobile networks that will combine wireless mobile technology with high data rate transmission capabilities. 3G-enabled mobile services would offer high-resolution video and multi-media services in addition to voice, fax and conventional data services.

DoT officials have said that 3G will not be limited to just the existing players. A recent analyst report by Morgan Stanley confirmed that following interactions with DoT officials.

The Morgan report said that four to five players are expected to be allocated 3G spectrum across circles, and that 3G would not be limited to only existing players. 3G auction is likely within the next six months, it is learnt.

According to DoT's draft guidelines, 3G licences would be granted through a controlled, simultaneous ascending e-auction by a specialised agency to ensure transparency.

There will be a one-time spectrum charge, and also an annual revenue-share of 0.5% of an operator's adjusted gross revenue with the government.

After three years of spectrum allocation, the annual revenue-share fee will be increased to 1 per cent of AGR. There would be stiff rollout conditions and penalties would be imposed for violations. Also, 3G service providers would not be allowed any merger for five years. And, trading/reselling of spectrum would not be permitted.

source :: http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14640779

Operators has to pass the exam before they're allowed to bid.

Sunil Mittal, Ratan TATA and Anil Ambani in the examination hall. :Contento:

For sure, Anil will copy from TATA.

Sunil will blame examiner of giving more papers to TATA and Anil although Sunil is incapable of finishing the main sheet.

[shashank 8]

^^And they will go to court for reevalution

All this is going to take atleast 4 years. With 101 court cases :'( :'(

[kshah 452]

Sunil Mittal, Ratan TATA and Anil Ambani in the examination hall.

For sure, Anil will copy from TATA.

Sunil will blame examiner of giving more papers to TATA and Anil although Sunil is incapable of finishing the main sheet.

[Dj 25]

good one !!! LOL

[kragu 0]

Vietnam model for 3G pre-bid process?

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is actively looking at international models for rolling out 3G (third generation) mobile phone services in India. DoT officials have found the Vietnam model particularly interesting, and are exploring the pros and cons of following it here, according to sources.

In Vietnam, the ministry of information and communications is examining the 3G applicants on 200 standards.

The telcos are being given two months to complete the examination document, after which their performance would be assessed on that.

The idea is to select the four most capable networks for offering 3G services, and prevent wastage of precious spectrum. Vietnam is planning to impose stringent rollout obligations on the 3G licencees also.

If India is to follow the Vietnam model, the selection of 3G licencees will be a two-level process. In a pre-bid process, the applicants will be screened based on a Vietnam-style detailed examination. An auction will follow to select the winners. The Telecom Commission is yet to finalise the modalities and eligibility conditions for allocation of 3G licences.

The recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) may be followed by the DoT for 3G licence auction.

Last year, TRAI had recommended the auction route for 3G licences, with a total base price of around Rs 1,050 crore at a national level. While for Mumbai, Delhi and A circle cities/towns, the base price was set at Rs 80 crore each, that for Chennai, Kolkata and B circle cities/towns was Rs 40 crore each. For C circle cities and towns, the base price was Rs 15 crore each.

Subsequently in November 2007, DoT announced that auction route would be followed for allocating 3G licences, but details and the timing of the process were not unveiled.

3G refers to the next generation of mobile networks that will combine wireless mobile technology with high data rate transmission capabilities. 3G-enabled mobile services would offer high-resolution video and multi-media services in addition to voice, fax and conventional data services.

DoT officials have said that 3G will not be limited to just the existing players. A recent analyst report by Morgan Stanley confirmed that following interactions with DoT officials.

The Morgan report said that four to five players are expected to be allocated 3G spectrum across circles, and that 3G would not be limited to only existing players. 3G auction is likely within the next six months, it is learnt.

According to DoT's draft guidelines, 3G licences would be granted through a controlled, simultaneous ascending e-auction by a specialised agency to ensure transparency.

There will be a one-time spectrum charge, and also an annual revenue-share of 0.5% of an operator's adjusted gross revenue with the government.

After three years of spectrum allocation, the annual revenue-share fee will be increased to 1 per cent of AGR. There would be stiff rollout conditions and penalties would be imposed for violations. Also, 3G service providers would not be allowed any merger for five years. And, trading/reselling of spectrum would not be permitted.

source :: http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14640779

Operators has to pass the exam before they're allowed to bid.

Sunil Mittal, Ratan TATA and Anil Ambani in the examination hall. :Contento:

For sure, Anil will copy from TATA.

Sunil will blame examiner of giving more papers to TATA and Anil although Sunil is incapable of finishing the main sheet.

IF at all 3 G services are coming in to existence what will happen to the old 2G services of telephony????

will the frequencies used for communication will not be used anymore and what will happen to us the endusers??

Our numbers will not be changed?? And more importantly what about the used Devices of 2G .. Anyone has any idea???

[shashank 8]

2G spectrum will be used for Voice and SMS while 3G spectrum will be used exclusively for Data.

[kesav 127]

3G allocation policy to inhibit CDMA growth

he Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) proposed 3G allocation policy will further inhibit CDMA operators’ access to spectrum in the region, according to the CDMA Development Group (CDG).

The policy under review would assign 3G spectrum in the 800 MHz to 2100 MHz frequency bands, which will enable the mass market deployment of 3G CDMA services to India.

However, the current proposal to divide these spectrum allocations such that only two 1.25 MHz blocks are assigned in the 800 MHz band compared to five 5 MHz blocks in the 2100 MHz band is highly inadequate and further exacerbates the disparities faced by CDMA. The 2G spectrum policy has constrained CDMA operators to one-half of the amount of spectrum available to GSM operators, CDG said in a statement today.

Furthermore, CDG feels that not including the 450 MHz and 1900 MHz bands in the 3G policy, even after successfully completing the mandated mixed-band RF interference trials, is unfairly restricting CDMA operators and will further inhibit the growth of 3G broadband services in the region.

“CDG urges the Indian government to continue to stimulate innovation, competition and further telecom investments by proposing a balanced and fair allocation of its spectrum resources,” said Perry Laforge, executive director of the CDG.

“CDMA has played a critical role in expanding telephony penetration in India through competition, a fact that should not be ignored when considering how to best serve the country’s economic interests in expanding broadband Internet penetration with 3G,” he added.

The organisation believes that it is critical for DoT to adopt and enforce the “15 Carrier Plan” proposal in the 800 MHz band. In addition to this, the TRAI in its September 2006 recommendations called for the DoT to reform spectrum (2 x 5 MHz) in the lower 900 MHz band (to re-allocate GSM operations within the band) and then allocate an additional 2 x 5 MHz for CDMA operations in the upper 800 MHz band.

This recommendation would alleviate the spectrum limitations for 3G EVDO broadband services and create a level playing field for all. As per the TRAI recommendations, the CDG also urges DoT to consider allocating at least 5 MHz in the 450 MHz band.

source :: http://www.business-standard.com/common/st...mp;autono=35529

Atleast after reading this article better sense prevails within DoT and make effort not to commit the same mistake done in 2G.

All along 2G regime, Spectrum for CDMA has been alloted in minute value compared to GSM applying same subscriber criteria.

Atleast here's a chance for DoT to rectify that mistake in 3G and show to the world that they're really technology neutral.

Equating the 1/4th of market price of 5 MHz of 2.1 Ghz band to 1.25 MHz of 800 MHz band is something which is not completely rational although this postion is improvement from earlier TRAI's postion.

It doesn't reflect the market demand for that particular band.

800 MHz band Spectrum has to be auctioned separately in bits of 1.25 Mhz.

Also strongly feel that 450 Mhz band and 1900 Mhz band has to be auctioned spearately in bits of x.

Equating one band's auctioned value to another band spectrum is totally not good and it's impediment in the growth of sector.

I can understand 450 MHz is currently used by Police and hence not available for auction.

But regarding 1900 MHz,After successful completion of the mandated mixed-band RF interference, I felt 1900 MHz should have been roped in for auction. I request DoT to come clear on this aspect.

Is Govt not technology neutral just because Reliance is intrested only in 2.1GHz(read as GSM-3G)?

[kesav 127]

DoT plans to auction spectrum for broadband

NEW DELHI: Apart from 3G spectrum auction guidelines, the DoT (department of telecom) is simultaneously preparing to auction spectrum for broadband wireless access (BWA) services in the 2.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz bands.

BWA enables high-speed data communication over wireless links. It offers significant advantages over wireless and broadband systems based on cable networks or DSL, like better coverage, speedy deployment, high scale ability, low maintenance and costs.

Broadband growth in India has been abysmal. By 2006-end there were 1.8 million broadband subscribers, with a target of 7 million by 2010. The government has upgraded its target to 20 million in the next two years, which is forcing a complete rethink on its current policy.

The DoT has decided that all existing unified, mobile, basic and internet licensees can bid for BWA spectrum. New prospective service providers can also bid but they will have to obtain either a unified or ISP licence once they succeed in the bidding for BWA spectrum.

Each operator of BWA spectrum can place bids for spectrum upto 20 MHz in blocks of 5 MHz each. Bidders will be allowed to use any ITU approved technology. Total spectrum available in the 2.5 and 2.3 GHz bands is about 80 MHz.

The auction will be conducted for initial, one time spectrum charge via a controlled, simultaneous, ascending e-auction along the lines that have been suggested for 3G spectrum.

The bidding will be circle-wise. If an operator wants to bid for two blocks of 5 MHz he will need to indicate this at the beginning. Every bidder will need to deposit an earnest money guarantee of 25% of reserve price of per block of spectrum. Winners will have to deposit 25% of the successful bid at close of auction and the rest within seven days. No bidder can either withdraw or reduce the bid in subsequent rounds.

source :: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Busines...how/2942492.cms

[Dj 25]

Pan-India mobile number portability by June ’09

Archana Khatri, Hindustan Times

Want to change that service provider, but keep your old mobile number? That will soon be a reality for all the mobile phone users across the country by June 2009.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday recommended that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) should come out with the road map for MNP (mobile number portability) for implementation in rest of the country by June 2009.

Communications and IT minister A Raja had announced the phase one of mobile number portability for the four metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in November 2007.

To start with, transferring one’s mobile number from one operator to another will be possible only within a city. If you will move out of the city, you will have to surrender the number and take a new one.

The entire process of streamlining the system to make mobile number portability a reality will take about nine months from the date when the license for setting up a clearing-house is awarded by the DoT.

The role of the clearing-house will be to provide end-to-end mobile number portability solution like managing call delivery and billing between two operators.

For the mobile number portability to succeed, the networks of all the operators will have to be simultaneously upgraded Typically, four to six operators provide mobile services in most Indian cities. Industry experts say that more the number of operators, more complex the streaming of the process may be.

“If the data is not appropriately recorded (in the central clearing house), incoming calls could be lost”, said telecom consultant Usha Rajeev with PricewaterhouseCoopers

The telecom regulator has also recommended that in case of porting the prepaid mobile number, the phone user will have to exhaust the balance in his phone as no credit transfer will be allowed. In India, more than 80 per cent of the mobile phone connections fall in the prepaid category.

Telecom regulator also recommends that the break perid while porting the number should not be more than two hours.