Aircel, a dark horse in 3G auction race

NEW DELHI, INDIA: With the conclusion of auctions for the crucial airwaves for third generation (3G) telecom services by private players, Aircel, has emerged as the surprise packing having bagged the spectrum for 13 circles.

Nine companies, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Vodafone Essar, Idea Cellular, Tata Teleservices, Aircel, Etisalat, S Tel and Videocon Telecommunications - took part in the online auction that started April 9. No single operator could win the bid for pan- India coverage.

According to Satya N Gupta, regulatory advisor, British Telecommunications Aircel pocketing the spectrum is a surprise package in the 34-day ordeal. “Reliance Communications, Vodafone and Bharti Airtel were being touted as potential winners, Aircel making it among the top winners is perhaps not what the industry would have expected,” says Gupta.

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