NEW DELHI: Telecom regulator TRAI Tuesday sought more information on the availability of 3G spectrum while proposing that vacant 3G slots be put up for upcoming auction along with the spectrum in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.

The Department of Telecom on October 16 had sought TRAI's recommendations on the reserve price for 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz and 2500 MHz bands for all the service areas.

"TRAI will not be in a position to go ahead with the consultation process in the absence of full information with regard to total availability of the spectrum in the 2100 MHz band (3G). Therefore, DoT is requested to indicate the decision regarding the above at the earliest," TRAI said in a letter to DoT.

The DoT has informed TRAI that at present no vacant spectrum is available with it in 2100 MHz band and discussions with Defence are underway for release of one block of 5 MHz of spectrum.

However, in TRAI's October 15 recommendations, it is mentioned that the DoT has assigned the fifth block of 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band in 5 service areas and in the remaining 17 areas, the spectrum is available with the DoT.

"DoT is requested to clarify whether discussions with Defence to release one block of 5 MHz is for the same block which has been already auctioned in five out of 22 LSAs or the discussion would result in release of one more block of spectrum, thus, making two blocks of spectrum available for auction," TRAI said.

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