The Department of Telecom (DoT) has released guidelines for the 2G spectrum auction for telecom service providers in the country.

The DoT did not include the spectrum pricing as the matter will have to be decided upon by an empowered group of ministers (EGoM), which is now headed by Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.

Mr. Pawar will replace Pranab Mukherjee, who has resigned from the post of Finance Minister to contest the presidential elections.

The union cabinet had earlier deferred a decision on the reserve price for the 2G spectrum auction as the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) meeting to discuss the matter was postponed indefinitely.

The Supreme Court has set a deadline of 31 August for completing the 2G spectrum auction, which is required following scrapping of the 122 licences in February.

DoT said that spectrum in 1800 & 800 megahertz bands will be auctioned to the companies and the license that were scrapped by the apex court, will be treated as new licenses. The department will hold a simultaneous multiple round e-auction of 2G spectrum and will soon announce payment terms for 2G spectrum auction and notify rollout norm for auctioned spectrum separately.