In a move which may scale the 3G spectrum auctioning bids and ensure better revenue generation for the government, the DoT is reportedly planning to introduce norms which will suit the foreign players and encourage participation from them in the country’s upcoming 3G bids.

Foreign entrants will be allowed access to networks of incumbent operators till the time they come up with their own pan-India network. This will ensure faster rollout of 3G services from the successful foreign players.

Further to this, as reported earlier, the foreign players will be allowed to participate in the bids without any India partner. Only those players who are successful will be required to identify an Indian partner.

The move is set to make the bids more competitive. Also with maximum participation of foreign players, the bid amount is also expected to increase.

Minister of State for Communication and IT, Jyothiraditya Scindia had earlier expressed concerns about the lack of friendly measures for foreign players. But the above norms if true, would certainly address these concerns and hopefully the government turns out to be the winner in generating maximum revenues possible from the auctioning and save itself the flak it receives for 2G policy decisions.