MUMBAI, INDIA: Department of telecom (DoT) has decided to put on hold all allocations of second generation (2G) spectrum to telcos, reports The Economic Times.

According to a top official in DoT, there will be no further allotments of airwaves till the government takes a final call on the new methodology to give spectrum to telcos. This comes as the spectrum panel, et up to resolve all controversies associated with the allocation of 2G spectrum, in its report submitted last month had said that the country should adopt the internationally-accepted auction system for issuing additional airwaves to telcos.

Besides, the report also added that all telcos should be allowed to buy, sell and transfer airwaves for a fee.

At present, all telecom services are offered on 2G spectrum (except select high-end services of state-owned telcos BSNL and MTNL) and these airwaves have been given to telcos based on their subscriber numbers, unique to India.

The spectrum panel had said that only the start-up spectrum should be given for free for existing telcos.
All subsequent allocations should be only through auctions, it said.