The 3G spectrum will be auctioned on January 30. Earlier in the day, the government extended the last date of receiving applications for it from January 5 to January 20.
A department of telecommunication official said the deferment has been made after taking into consideration the concern of the prospective applicant companies during the pre-bid conference on December 23.
A prospective domestic 3G applicant, however, said the deferment might have been due to absence of foreign telecom operators in the pre-bid conference, thus forcing the government to give some more time to them.
The 3G spectrum auction was scheduled to be kicked off on January 16.
