The wireless broadband spectrum auctions kick-started on Monday with 11 bidders bidding for spectrum in 2 slots across the country. The price of a pan India block of spectrum touched Rs 2,353 crore on the first day and a revenue of Rs 6,940 crore accrued to the government. With this the total revenue to the government touched Rs 74, 000 crore, inclusive of the 3G spectrum revenue. This is 111% more than what the government had budgeted. Centre had fixed a reserve price of Rs 1,750 crore for a pan India block of spectrum.

Bharti Airtel, Reliance WiMax, Idea Cellular, Aircel, Augere Mauritius, Infotel Broadband Services, Qualcomm, Spice Internet Service Provider, Tata Communications Internet Services, Tikona Digital Networks and Vodafone Essar are the 11 qualified bidders for the two slots 20 MHz spectrum.