The Hindu Business Line : Indian 3G telephony auction attracts global cos

GENEVA: India on Monday said international companies have shown interest in the launching of high-speed 3G telephony services, auction of spectrum or radio waves, which will be completed by the end of this financial year.

“Various foreign companies have shown interest in the planned 3G auction,” the Telecom Minister Mr A Raja said here, exuding confidence that the auction of 3G and Wi-Max spectrum would generate at least Rs 25,000 crore of revenue for the government.

“The successful 3G bidder will be issued Universal Service Licence (USL)... they will be eligible for 2G spectrum also, as and when it is available,” he said.

The minister further said that he had talks with telecom ministers and officials from many other countries and all of them were of the same opinion that the telecom sector was one of the least hit by the global financial meltdown.

“We are very confident that the Government will raise at least Rs 25,000 crore from the auction,” Mr Raja said.

Asked whether the 3G auction would meet the timeline, Mr Raja said: “Yes. By and large, we are moving as per the timeline... It may get delayed by some time due to Christmas vacation, but very positively it will be completed within this financial year (e nding March 2010).” - PTI

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