The Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) has sought the views of all the shareholders to start the process of auction after the Supreme Court gave its verdict revoking 122 spectrum licences allotted in 2008. The apex court in its order had directed the regulator to allocate the spectrum only through auction.

"Keeping in view the decision taken by the central government in 2011, TRAI shall make fresh recommendations for grant of licence and allocation of spectrum in 2G band in 22 service areas by auction, as was done for allocation of spectrum in 3G band," Principal advisor at Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India (TRAI), Sudhir Gupta, said in a statement.

Giving a time-frame of four months to TRAI to complete the process, the Supreme Court had  has asked the government to seek fresh recommendations from TRAI on allocation of licences and spectrum by way of auction.

According to an estimate 536 Mhz of 2G spectrum will be freed following the cancellation of the 122 licenses.

On the issue of grant of licences, TRAI in its recommendation on “Spectrum Management and Licensing Framework” dated 11th May 2010  had already recommended that all future licences should be Unified Licences and that spectrum be delinked from the licence.

TRAI has requested all the stakeholders to send their comments/suggestions on the issues involved by February 15.

 “Keeping in view the time bound nature of exercise, no extension of time will be given”, said Sudhir Gupta.