April 14, 2010 - India plans to hold an auction of 4G mobile phone spectrum soon after completion of 3G access now underway, a report said Wednesday.

The sale for 4G will begin as soon as operators roll out their 3G networks this year, Communications Minister A. Raja was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times newspaper.

"I do not want any delay in 4G services. We should be with the rest of the world in 4G," Raja said.

Raja expected that the successful telecom bidders for 3G frequency would start launching their new networks within a few weeks of receiving the spectrum.

The auction of 3G spectrum will propel India into the Internet era, giving millions who have no computer access the ability to surf the web from their phones. It will also heat up the battle for customers in the world's fastest-growing mobile market.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has already started the pre-consultation process for the sale of 4G spectrum, according to Raja.

"Once TRAI submits its recommendations, the government will work on it," he said.

Germany on Monday began auction of 4G frequencies.

source: AFP