Clearing the air over spectrum allocation, the government said on Tuesday successful 3G bidders will be eligible for 2G spectrum.

Addressing a pre-bid conference for auctioning 3G and BWA spectrum, telecom commission member (finance) R Ashok said, "Successful 3G bidders will be eligible for getting 2G spectrum."

However, he clarified that 3G bidders have to be in the queue.

The auction for the allocation of third-generation radio waves is due next month. But there was confusion whether 3G players would be eligible to get 2G spectrum.

However, since the availability of 2G spectrum is an issue, it is very unlikely that the 3G bidders would get it right away.

COAI director general TV Ramachandran said this was technically correct.

"The 3G players are eligible for 2G spectrum but they can get the spectrum only after the need of the existing players is met," Ramachandran added.