After issuing notice inviting application (NIA) on Friday, the government is set to make the final norm for the auction of spectrum. The empowered group of minister (eGOM), headed by the union finance minister P Chidamabram will meet on Wednesday (October 3) to decide on the issue of charging of excess spectrum from the existing operators.

The department of telecommunications (DoT) has informed eGOM that there are three options before the eGOM, One, to charge all the incumbent operators for remaining licence period, Two, to charge for the excess spectrum they hold beyond 4.4 MHz and Three, to charge for excess spectrum beyond 6.4MHz.

The eGOM meeting has become important as the ability of incumbent operators to bid will depend on it. If all the operators have to pay for the remaining period of licences, then the incumbent operators will not be in a position to bid aggressively for the spectrum.