3G + BWA Auction Policies Announced

The Ministry of Communications and DoT have opened the Pandora’s Box on auction of 3G Mobile Spectrum. The reserved prices of the spectrum has doubled since TRAI’s first recommendation in 2006. Now the reserve price is Rs 2,020 crore for PAN India 3G license. However, around 5 licensees are expected to operate and thus the Government is looking forward to get revenues of Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 crore.

Broadband Wireless Access Policy: The government failed to listen to smaller ISPs and has tied the reserve price to 3G. Can India really achieve broader and increased pentration of broadband services as it has happened in mobile services ? Not until BSNL opens its Copper network is my take.