Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:-

(a)        whether Government have recently decided to issue new telecom licenses and also to sell the additional Spectrum now available with Government;

(b)        if so, whether auctions for the same have been invited;

(c)        if so, the details thereof and the number of bids accepted by Government; and

(d)        if so, the details of the new license issued and Spectrum sold as a result thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a)    to (d) The Government has decided to grant new Unified Access Services (UAS) Licenses as per the existing policy. Selling / auction of 2G spectrum is not envisaged under telecom access services licenses.

No new Letter of Intent for UAS License has been issued after 5th March, 2007.