India will allocate spectrum for next generation wireless networks to successful bidders by the end of January after holding an auction as planned earlier in the month, government officials said on Monday.

In August, the government outlined guidelines for a global auction of radio spectrum for third-and fourth-generation (3G and 4G) wireless services, from which it hoped to raise up to 400 billion rupees ($8.3 billion).

Media reports have said Vodafone Plc, which controls India’s No. 3 mobile firm Vodafone Essar, had requested the auction to be delayed because of the global financial crisis.

But Telecoms Secretary Siddhartha Behura told an industry conference there would be no delay in the plan to complete the auction by mid-January.

Top telecoms firm Bharti Airtel has said it is ready to bid for spectrum under the current schedule.

Source: Reuters