The much-delayed 3G spectrum auction will start on April 9 which is expected to fetch the exchequer more than Rs 35,000 crore (Rs 350 billion).
Welcoming announcement of schedule, prospective bidders said they are relieved now that finally the government has set in motion the process.
The Department of Telecom in a notification said it would issue the notice inviting applications from February 25 the prospective bidders and has set March 19 as the deadline for submission of interest.
The all-India base price for a 3G spectrum auction has been pegged at Rs 3,500 crore (Rs 35 billion).
Market leader Bharti Airtel said it would participate in the auction, while two other leading players Vodafone Essar and Tata Teleservices indicated their intent to participate in the bidding.
The pre-qualification of bidders would take place on March 30 and mock auctions would be held on the April 5 and 6.
In the past, auctions for 3G spectrum, which would give a lot of multimedia services over the mobile along with faster access to Internet, have been deferred twice even after the date of announcements of the auction.
Operators said they would now wait for the details like the number of operators in a circle before taking a call on whether to bid for all-India or for a few circles.
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