DoT to declare final spectrum auction result within two days

The Department of Telecom (DoT) is likely to declare final results of the just concluded auction of 2G mobile phone spectrum in next couple of days.

"Formal procedure is on. There is no issue. It (final auction result) will be done within a day or two," DoT sources said.

DoT had on November 14 declared provisional auction result, which fetched government revenue of Rs 9,407.64 crore (Rs 94.07 billion) against minimum potential of Rs 28,000 crore (Rs 280 billion).

As per the procedure, government is required to finally accept and approve provisional result of auction. The final result is expected to be same as provisional result but it is called final result after government approves it.

Telecom operators, which have won spectrum, will be asked to make payment within 10 days of declaration of these results.

Another DoT official, who is closely involved in the process, said that the inter-ministerial group that was monitoring auction has submitted its report and now it is for

higher authority to approve it.

The official said said that it has taken more time to declare final result as compared to the case of 3G and BWA auction because of public holidays in between. Government has declared final result of 3G and BWA auction within two days after the auction ended.

As per the provisional result, Vodafone emerged as the biggest winner getting additional spectrum in 14 circles of Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh (West), Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar, Kerala, Orissa, North East, Punjab and Kerala.

Norway's Telenor promoted Telewings emerged as biggest players in value terms. The company will have to pay Rs 4,018 crore (Rs 40.18 billion) for the airwaves.

Sources said along with the final result, the department will declare formula for payment by telecom operators whose permits were cancelled by Supreme Court and are eligible to get refund of licence fee they paid for the quashed permits.

"The refund will be only through adjustment (in the final auction amount)," DoT official said.