Government forms ministers’ panel to resolve 3G, wi-max issues

The Indian government has constituted an empowered group of ministers (e-GoM) yesterday that will look into the issues related to auctioning of 3G (third generation) spectrum and other related issues.

The e-GoM will look into the unresolved issues, including the reserve price for spectrum and other charges and the number of 3G players to be allowed in every telecom circle.

The group of ministers will also look into spectrum and allocation of band for evolution value data optimised, a high-end data application service, and issues related to wireless broadband (wi-max).

The nine-member panel will be headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. Other ministers in the panel include: P Chidambaram (home), A K Antony (defence), A Raja (communications and information technology), Sharad Pawar (agriculture), M Veerappa Moily (law), Ambika Soni (information and broadcasting), Prithviraj Chavan (minister of state for science & technology ), and planning commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The Centre's decision came after the ministry of finance and department of telecom (DoT) failed to reach a consensus on spectrum pricing and other issues related to 3G and wi-max services despite several rounds of meetings between senior officials and ministers.

Last month Raja told reporters after a meeting with Mukherjee that he has assured the finance minister of an early roll out of 3G and wi-max. (See Finance ministry, DoT bury hatchet in 3G spectrum auction)