The telecom regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday started the process of auction of 2G spectrum by issuing pre-consultation paper on this issue seeking views from all the stakeholders.
“Keeping in view the decision taken by the central government in 2011, Trai shall make fresh recommendations for grant of licence and allocation of spectrum in 2G band in 22 service areas by auction, as was done for allocation of spectrum in 3G band,” said the regulator in a statement issued on Friday.
On Thursday, Trai chairman JS Sarma had stated that he would issue consultation paper as soon the Department of Telecommunication asks the Trai to do so. The Supreme Court had asked the government to seek fresh recommendations from the regulator on allocation of licences and spectrum by the way of auction.
Last year, the Trai had asked fixing the price for 6.2 Mhz of pan-India start-up 2G spectrum at Rs 10,972.5 crore, which is more than six times the cost of Rs 1,658 crore at which the spectrum was allocated to new players., licences are are set to be cancelled.
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