Now that the auction is over for India’s much hyped 3G services. (ended on 19th May 2010). The price that the telecom giants have agreed to pay has really made many eyebrows rise!
The entire auction has earned more than Rs. 70,000 Crores for the Indian Government against the projection of Rs. 35,000 Crores. For PAN India License the price was set at Rs. 16, 828 Crores, none, including the biggies, were found bidding for it. Interestingly BSNL and MTNL will have to shell out this money to the Government for providing 3G services to their customers, but I have also heard that they have raised their hands saying they do not have such money to pay up!!
For my State Karnataka there were 3 winning bids – Airtel, TATA, Aircel (Rs. 1,579.91 Crores each).
With such prices (which are all in Crores as you can see) – What is your gut feel of the service charge that they may ultimately charge the end users?
- Would you pay as per your usage with a fixed basic charge of lets say Rs. 500 or so?
- Would you pay Rs. 1500 for an unlimited usage Plan?
- May be Rs. 800 with 100 MB free usage?
Do send in your votes (you may leave a comment).