The pressure put by the private telecom companies and MNCs that more spectrum should be available for auction is having results. The DoT has prepared a Cabinet Note on the auction of spectrum, which will be first sent to the Defence and Finance Ministries for approval before submitting to the Cabinet. The reports indicate that there will be 5MHz in the 2100 MHz band across 17 out of 22 telecom circles for auction.

It is understood that some more spectrum will be released by the Defence for allocation for auction as required by the private telcos. There was a demand from the Cellular Operations Association of India (COAI) that some spectrum should be released from BSNL, which the BSNL management has not so far agreed. But pressure will be mounting.

The requirements of the private companies have become more important for the government, than that of its own!