Mukherjee hopes for end to spectrum vacation tangle

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday said he hoped the ministries of defence and communications and IT would reach a consensus on vacation of third generation (3G) spectrum by the armed forces.

"I do hope the decision will be taken as per the letter and spirit of the memorandum of understanding," said Mukherjee at the annual Economic Editors' Conference here when asked about the delay in spectrum vacation.

The finance minister was referring to the agreement signed in May between the defence ministry and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) outlining the roadmap for the vacation of radio waves or spectrum.

The issue of the exact radio frequency to be released by the armed forces and the timing of the vacation has long been an issue of contention between the two ministries.

"I am aware of the fact that there are certain areas of differences in regard to the vacation of spectrum," Mukherjee said.

"The GoM (group of ministers) has given certain directions, and the ministry of communication sat as per the instructions given by the GoM so far the 3G auction is concerned."

The auction of 3G spectrum was initially scheduled for December, but may have to be postponed.

The DoT had last month announced that the auction of the 3G spectrum would be conducted in four stages -- invitation of the bid, pre-qualification, auction, and finally the grant of spectrum.

san/ank/vt

( 244 Words)

2009-11-03-19:49:16 (IANS)

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