A high powered ministerial panel in India on Tuesday finalised broad modalities for
auction of spectrum including schedule and quantum of airwaves to be sold, but it wasn't immediately clear if it decided on pricing of spectrum.
"Some decisions have been taken. We will let you know," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said after the meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM).
Sources said the EGoM has firmed up the schedule for the auction as well as the quantum of spectrum to be put up for bidding.
At least eight slots will be offered in the auction that is likely to begin sometime next month, they said, adding a minimum of 10 MHz of airwaves would be sold.
The EGoM, headed by Finance Minister
Pranab Mukherjee , deliberated on the reserve price for the auction recommended by sector regulator TRAI.
In all probability, a decision on the reserve price may be announced in the next couple of days, they said.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which was expected to make a presentation to the panel on the impact of its suggested pricing of spectrum on mobile phone tariffs, did not make any presentation to the EGoM.
The EGoM, sources said, may meet again sometime later this month to give final shape to the auction, which was necessitated after Supreme Court cancelled 122 2G licences, given in 2008 by the then telecom minister A Raja.
The apex court had asked the government to auction the spectrum by August 31.
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