Indian mobile operator Uninor has moved the Supreme Court asking it to direct the government to hold the 2G spectrum auction by 2 June, pitting it against the government's petition that sought 400 days to complete the auction process, writes The Economic Times. Uninor also asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to hold auctions on the same pattern and reserve price as the 3G auctions held in 2010. The government said that fresh mobile permits could only be given by March 2013, which translates into a waiting period of nearly nine months for the eight operators that recently saw their licences canceled by the Supreme Court due to problems with the previous awards process. Uninor CEO Sigve Brekke said that the government could not expect companies to stay with 'endless uncertainty' and wait until next year for new licences. Uninor is willing to pay more for the spectrum because it has a long-term commitment to doing business in India. Uninor has suggested Trai keep the reserve price of 2G spectrum at INR 335 billion, the same as the reserve price for 3G auctions held in 2010, and follow the 3G auction pattern to sell 2G spectrum in order to save time.
