India is likely to soon have one more auction for wireless broadband spectrum, according to sources in the Department of Telecom.
The Department on Wednesday released details of how much spectrum is available in all circles across all the three categories of 2G, 3G and 4G or wireless broadband.
Only wireless broadband has close to nationwide availability. Nearly 20 MHz of spectrum, enough for an extra operator, is available across the country except in Rajasthan, UP and Punjab, it said.
There is no extra 3G spectrum available anywhere, it said, adding that a lot of 2G spectrum is available in many of the states, though it is scarce in some others.
According to indications from officials, the government will soon announce details of a new spectrum auction plan that will cover both 2G and 4G.
Currently only Reliance Industries, promoted by Mukesh Ambani, has nationwide spectrum in wireless broadband. The wireless broadband spectrum had fetched Rs 13,000 crore for the government in last year’s auction.