3G + BWA Auction – Spectrum Availability

The DoT has announced the time line for the auction of 3G Spectrum and BWA Spectrum. Earlier it was reported that BWA Auction would happen first. However, DoT is now auctioning the 3G spectrum first and BWA later. As proposed earlier, BSNL / MTNL have got a backdoor entry in all circles for both 3G and BWA spectrum and hence we exclude their reference in the rest of this article. Each operator is eligible for only one block in 3G and BWA [DoT will pre-scan applicants and qualify them for the bidding process] Hopefully, they will make the list of eligible participants public so that we can identify dummy companies like Swan once upon a time backed by RCom.

3G Spectrum Auction: 2x5MHz comprises a block in 2.1 GHz. The proposed date of auction is 16th Jan-2009.

• Expect intense bidding in Delhi and Gujarat Circles as only 2 blocks are available for auction.
• West Bengal excluding Kolkata has only 1 block available for auction.
• Mumbai, Kolkata, Karnataka, Mahrashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab, Haryana, UP(E), MP, Bihar, Orissa, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir have 4 spectrum blocks to be auctioned.
• UP(E) and Himachal Pradesh have 3 spectrum blocks, while Rajasthan and North East have None.
• Reserved bid amount is as published earlier.

BWA Spctrum Auction: 3 Blocks of 20 MHz available for auction across India in 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Proposd Date of Auction is 2 days from the day of close of 3G Auction.

While I fetch the final guidelines on the 3G + BWA auction, you can go ahead and make a guess on what the prices of winning bid are likely to be in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Gujarat, Mahrashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu [includes Chennai for 3G+ BWA auction] and Andhra Pradesh.