The Cabinet will fix the reserve price of third generation (3G) spectrum on Wednesday. The price is likely to be fixed at ₹3,705 crore per MHz, based on recommendations of the Telecom Commission, sources from the Government told BusinessLine .
The spectrum auctions for 2G as well as 3G will start on March 4.
The Department of Telecom has also extended the deadline for submission of applications by telecom operators to February 16.
Earlier, the auction of 2G spectrum — 900 MHz (price band ₹3,980 crore per MHz), 1,800 MHz (₹2,191 crore per MHz) and 800 MHz (₹3,646 crore per MHz) — was scheduled to start from February 25, and bidders had been asked to submit applications by February 6.
The Centre will also sell 5 MHz in the 2,100 MHz band, which is used for 3G services.
Revenue targetThe central government is expected to get at least ₹83,000 crore from the upcoming auction, which will be the biggest in terms of the base price value of radio waves. The government will finalise the list of bidders on February 27 and hold mock auctions on March 2 and 3.
The main auctions will start from March 4 and successful bidders will have to pay the amount within 10 calendar days of the close of auction, the Department of Telecom said on Tuesday.