The Department of Tele-communications is close to allocating start-up spectrum in seven more circles, in addition to Tamil Nadu, where the process is set to begin next week. According to the telecom ministry's plan, the companies would get 4.4 MHz each and the allocation would be completed within a fortnight.
However, operators said the chief beneficiary would be the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd, which have already been given the spectrum for 3G services, as well as Reliance Communications, which is still to roll out its 2G GSM network.
The department of telecommunications is planning to seek details from four operators - Bharti-Airtel, Hutchison-Essar, Tata Teleservices Ltd and Reliance Communications - on the fulfillment of rollout obligations under the mobile telephony licence.
Trai also recommended allocation of 3G spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band through auction in tranches of 2x5 MHz. And if this spectrum band was not adopted, it would be possible to provide spectrum only to two to three operators, apart from state-owned companies (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagr Telephone Nigam Limited).
Among the new guidelines under discussion, DoT is looking at raising the net worth criterion of companies applying for a pan-India UASL licence from Rs 1,380 crore to Rs 1,500 crore.
The implementation of the policy would require public health spending to rise to nearly 2.5 per cent of the gross domestic product, from the present dismal one per cent, with the Centre bearing about 40 per cent of it.
AT&T has also applied for a universal access service licence (UASL), which allows operators to offer services in both GSM and CDMA technology, with the Mahindra & Mahindra group, for 22 circles. The US company, however, has stipulated that it wants a majority equity stake in the mobile venture.
The RBI Governor had earlier cautioned the banks on the risks involved in just hunting for numbers, asking them not to compromise on core objectives of the programme.
International education expert Karan Gupta has the answers to your queries.
A summary of the budget speech of Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Following are the highlights of the economic policies of the United Progressive Allaince government spelt out in the customary Presidential address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament
IBM India Software Labs on Wednesday announced the setting up of IBM Centre for Advanced Studies at its facility in Bangalore to allow universities access to IBM's product development and supporting infrastructure.
For maintaining sustained demand in domestic consumption and household investment, the economy must generate enough jobs in the formal sector,says Shubhashis Gangopadhyay.
'Learning to learn should be given more importance than what is actually being learnt,' recommends Zaki Ansari.
Touching upon a range of issues, the President also said women were entitled to a life of their choice and security to fulfil their potential, amid concerns over their privacy and safety.
The United Nations said on Friday it has received documents from Syrian government on joining the chemical weapons convention, which outlaws their production and use.
The project, called e-basha, is a critical part of the ambitious Digital India programme.
Experts hail Obama's India trip as a big step towards signing of imp trade agreements.
As per a white paper, 'Aarogya Bharat 2025', India Healthcare Roadmap for next 10 years launched at NATHEALTH event on Tuesday said the country is healthier now than ever before, but its 'continued economic progress is threatened by the country's under-served and under-consumed healthcare system'.
Google uses solar panel and wind to power electronic equipment in the balloon throughout the day.
The superstar received the World Economic Forum's prestigious Crystal Award in Davos.
Around 10 crore bank accounts opened under the Jan Dhan scheme.
Advice for a healthy heart from one of India's top heart surgeons.
The Congress on Saturday released its election manifesto for Telangana, promising socially-inclusive growth with focus on jobs and social justice and a three-pronged approach for building the new state.
Grand plan: 10% GDP growth; 175 million jobs; $10-trillion economy
India pledged an assistance of USD 30 million (Rs 199 crore) for the initiative that brings together developed and developing countries.
Each 'adarsh village' should have piped drinking water, connectivity to the main road, electricity supply to all households, library, telecom and broadband connectivity including CCTVs in public areas. Emphasis will also be on e-governance, says Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.
.jpg)
The first phase would comprise universal access to banking facilities. Under this, basic bank accounts with zero balance, RuPay debit card and financial literacy, will have to be completed in the next one year, officials said.
Piyush Goyal is leading a delegation to deliberate with Australia.
As many as 75 million households that do not have access to banking services will be covered and at least one bank account opened for each household, against the earlier proposal of two.
.jpg)
The creation of the High Level Political Forum was one of the key decisions of the Rio+20 Conference.
Here is the full text of the joint statement issued by India and the US.
Releasing its 70-point programme, Kejriwal called party's manifesto 'holy'.
The AAP has adopted policies in an ad hoc manner, without thinking them through or deriving them from a broader framework. This must change if the AAP is to become a credible alternative, says Praful Bidwai.
Never before has an open and innovative platform like Airtel Zero been on offer that will help drive internet adoption through free usage (and companies and app developers being an equal partner in the process), says Srini Gopalan.
Russia and the US began second round of negotiations on securing Syria's chemical arsenal, hoping the high-stakes talks would lead to broader peace efforts, even as Damascus submitted application to UN for joining the chemical weapons convention.
China's Xiaomi to unveil its first India-made phone on Monday
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances