Spectrum auction to proceed as scheduled: telecom secretary

The telecom spectrum auction due to start on February 3 will proceed as scheduled, telecom secretary MF Farooqui said on Wednesday.

The telecom spectrum auction due to start on February 3 will proceed as scheduled, telecom secretary MF Farooqui said on Wednesday.

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The deadline for companies to submit interest to participate in the auction is Wednesday, but the government is yet to take a decision on a proposal to reduce the annual fee carriers pay for using airwaves.

Farooqui said he was hopeful of resolving the pending issues, including the annual spectrum fee, before the auction begins next month.

The government hopes to raise at least $1.8 billion from the auction, crucial in its efforts to rein in the budget deficit.