New Delhi, Feb 18 Even as the telecom sector is facing heat on the AGR count, Department of Telecom plans to appoint an e-auctioneer next month and take cabinet approval soon after to set the process rolling for the spectrum auction, sources said.
The DoT will stick to the spectrum auction timeline tentatively made and once the e-auctioneer is appointed next month, the process will gather steam in terms of preparedness.
"Worldwide 5G spectrum auction is in the process currently while some have already concluded last year. We have to keep pace with that," a source said, adding that an internal assessment of the Department has pegged the estimated proceeds at Rs 60,000 crore from the Rs 5.2 lakh crore value of spectrum.
"DoT is aware that the telcos are under pressure but technological advancement won't stop just because of Indian telecom operators are to pay statutory dues piling over the years. The price for the spectrum auction is already set by TRAI benchmarking globally. So all necessary groundwork is being put in place. We are finalising the spectrum auction schedules and have shortlisted four bidders including MSTC, mjunction and two others for the selection of e-auctioneer to conduct the exercise later next fiscal and will take it cabinet approval end of next month," the source said.
It is not just 5G. Airtel and Vodafone have spectrum use period expiring in 8-10 circles and need to renew the spectrum purchases. In the current scenario, AGR dues of Rs 35,500 crore for Airtel and Rs 53,000 crore for Vodafone Idea are causing pressure on telcos. Even earlier, the companies had stated they would not buy 5G spectrum at the given price which would make them bleed further.
The other two shortlisted bidders are e-procurement Technologies and C1 India.
( With inputs from IANS )