The second day of auction for 2G spectrum started at 0900 hours (GMT
0330) on Wednesday, on the back of demand for spectrum in the Bihar
telelcom circle in India.
A Department of Telecommunications official replied in the affirmative when asked if the auction resumed on time this morning.
"Yes. Eighth round is in progress," the official said.
The government is auctioning eight blocks of spectrum having 1.25 megahertz airwaves frequencies in each circle.
As
per the data made public, the last round of Day 1 (on November 12) saw
bids for spectrum only in Bihar circle. Or else it would have ended on
Monday itself.
The first round could end early Wednesday if participating companies do not opt for extension of bid rounds.
Five
telecom operators - Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Telenor-promoted
Telewings, Videocon and Idea Cellular - had applied for participating
in the auctions.
There was lukewarm response to the auction on Day
1, mainly due to higher base price of Rs. 14,000 crore for 5 megahertz
airwaves frequency on pan-India basis.
There were no bidders for spectrum in Delhi, Mumbai, Karantaka and Rajasthan.
There
were seven rounds of bidding on Monday and demand for 98 out of 176
blocks of spectrum for auction was witnessed. The value of 98 blocks
stood at Rs. 9,224.75 crore at the end of day.
New players or
companies, whose telecom permits were impacted by Indian Supreme Court
judgement that cancelled 122 licences, are required to bid for minimum
of four blocks.
Existing players can bid for maximum of two blocks.
The
government has also assured to provide additional blocks of spectrum in
all circles, except Delhi and Mumbai, if required by new players or
companies for them to qualify in the auction.
The auction is for 1800 megahertz spectrum band - currently being used for offering 2G GSM telecom services.