Auctioning of the broadband wireless spectrum auctions (BWA) began on Monday. And Telecom Minister, A Raja said that he expects the sale of the spectrum to raise nothing less than Rs. 15,000 crore.

It must be noted that the sale has come just after the auctioning of the 3G spectrum. In this, all the telecom players took part and it was able to generate Rs. 70,000 crore. This amount is much higher than what was budgeted by the government.

Looking at the positive response, the target for BWA has been set up high and it is expected that not only telecom companies but also Internet-based companies including chip makers will take part in it.

As per latest available information, 11 telecom companies including the likes of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, RCom, the Tatas and Qualcom, are going to fight it out for two slots of spectrum. Idea Cellular, Aircel, Augere Mauritius, Infotel Broadband Services, Internet Service Provider, Tata Communications Internet Services, Tikona Digital Networks and Vodafone Essar, are also going to try out their luck.

The reserve price for the band has been fixed at Rs. 1,750 crore for pan-India license.