There would be no auction in the 1800 Mhz and 900 Mhz bands with operators like Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone not submitting their application as the spectrum price is too high. The auctions were to be held in March.

The Economic Times has quoted Telecom secretary R Chandrasekhar to suggest that the issue will be settled after it is sent to the empowered group of ministers. He told ET that there will not be an auction in both (1800 & 900 Mhz) bands. The panel would decide whether the reserve price for 900 MHz band spectrum should be reduced.

Earlier on Monday, the Delhi High Court refused to grant a stay on the 900 MHZ auctions based on the pleas of Vodafone and Bharti Airtel.

Meanwhile, Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd. (SSTL) that operates under brand MTS on Monday submitted its application to participate in the 800 Mhz spectrum auctions in March 2013.

“The Company today submitted its application to participate in the 800 Mhz spectrum auctions in March 2013. Post auctions with the operational footprint clearly defined, the plan is to focus on SSTL’s data centric-voice enabled strategy in select circles and build an even stronger MTS brand in India”, the company said in a statement.

SSTL had lost 21 2G spectrum licences in February 2012, when the Supreme Court canceled all the 122 licences allotted during the tenure of the former telecom minister A Raja.

MTS in India has over 14 million wireless subscribers out of which 15% come from the impacted circles. The company employs over 3000 employees and has made investments of over $ 3.2 billion.

For Latest Updates Visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TelecomTiger/429104257149437