“3G auction in Feb likely and services may start in September” This is what I had written in Jan. But here there is yet another delay in the auction.

The auction for 3G licences were first schedules last January.

India’s auction of 3G licenses has been fixed for April 9, after three postponements, the government said on Wednesday.

A notice inviting applications is scheduled to be issued soon, and the last date for submission of applications is March 19, according to the new schedule announced by the government.

The auction of spectrum for BWA (broadband wireless access) including WiMax will commence two days after the 3G auction is complete, according to the government.

A number of Indian and multinational mobile service providers have shown interest in bidding for the 3G licenses.

Currently MTNL and BSNL are the only 3G service providers in India.

Today in Budget I expect a bit on 3G and telecom sector in India.

I am eagerly waiting for 3G services to come to various different service providers in India. Aren’t you ? Comment!

The country’s 3G auction for spectrum sale will start on February 12 and services would start from September 1 this year, reports CNBC-TV18 quoting sources.

The Government’s notice for the auction is set to be finalised shortly and the winning bidders may be required to pay fees in two phases. The bidders will have to make a payment to the tune of 25% of the bid amount within five days after the auction and the balance payment within 15 days. The government plans to auction three 3G slots nationwide.

The final date of applications would be received by January 25 while the pre-qualification of bidders takes place on February 5. The notice inviting bids is likely to be issued this week and would specify the exact spectrum slots.

Auctions for EVDO (one slot each in 16 circles) and WiMax (two slots across the country) would take place two days after the 3G auction closes, it is learnt.[Source]

BSNL expects to close the fiscal with 10 lakh 3G users from seven lakh at present.

BSNL, along with the other state-run telecom firm Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), are the only operators to receive start-up 3G spectrum, even before the auction of the airwaves.

Currently BSNL is present in 300 cities and towns, which will be increased to 760 over the next 3-4 months.

BSNL is also focusing on introducing a variety of Value Added Service (VAS) offerings to drive its 3G plans.

Currently it offers cheap calling rates, Video calling, video streaming and full track download. It also plans to offer Video conferencing in the near future.

The third generation phone (3G) technology allows users to transfer large music and data files in a jiffy. Mobile TV is another popular application of this next generation phone.

Since long time the allotment saga is going on. There is dispute on the licensing fees. By the license fees government is going to earn a huge sum.

It is getting delayed as telecom and finance minister couldn’t agree over pricing.

Fact file about 3G :

• There are only two teleom operators who provide this service at present i.e. MTNL and BSNL.
• MTNL was the fist to launch 3G service in Delhi on Feb 5 and Mumbai in May.
• BSNL launched 3G service on Feb 27 in 70 cities including major state capital.

PS : My 3G enabled hand set is yet not utilized at optimum levels.