Wait for 3G spectrum delays further

Consumers will now have to wait till 2010 or early 2012 to avail the much awaited 3G services. The government has now announced that while it will stick to its January 2010 schedule for auctioning wireless 3G spectrum, it will allot the airwaves only in August next year. This will delay the rollout of a service that has been hanging fire for over two years now.

Mobile telecom companies are pleased with the new announcement that 4 players instead of 3 players earlier decided will be allotted spectrum. Also, the bidding telecom companies need to submit on 25% of the bid amount upfront, as against 100% decided earlier.