Foreign cos may get nod for 3G services

The department of telecom is looking at various options to allocate 3G spectrum to players, including auction and allotment basis, in which new as well as foreign players would be allowed.

Telecom secretary Dinesh Mathur on Tuesday said the DoT was looking at various options like auctioning of spectrum or standard allotment and if auctioning is allowed, anybody, including foreign players could bid for 3G licences in India.

Asked about how the allotment will happen in case auction is not allowed, he said, "the department has worked out a formula."

If foreign players are allowed, it will be a major digression from Trai recommendations which had said only existing players could get such licenses.