STAFF REPORT KARACHI: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has chosen to hold an electronic auction, which sources say is in line with international standards and also likely to discourage collusive bidding.

Electronic auction is the standard practice all over the world and India, too, preferred this mode over the outdated open outcry method while auctioning 3G licences, said an official requesting not to be quoted. “The electronic auction will discourage collusion and ensure transparency,” said the official.

He said the base price for a 3G licence is already very high in the first place, which will certainly discourage collusion. Secondly, he said the bidders identity will be kept confidential – that is the telecom operators [bidders] would be awarded codes or colours to participate in the auction.

While the chances for collusion were already very thin but the apex telecom regulator could cancel the licence of the bidder found involved in the practice, the official said.

The operators will learn about the auction process later this month but they have started testing their networks in major cities as some consumers have reportedly received high speeds on their mobile handsets recently, especially later at night.

By Web Team

Technology Times Web team handles all matters relevant to website posting and management.