2G case petitioner alleges conspiracy behind auction failure

NEW DELHI: Telecom Watchdog, a co-petitioner in 2G spectrum case, today alleged that there was an industry "plot" to "subvert" spectrum auctions.

"It is a pre-planned design of the industry to subvert the auctions. They have hatched this plot through a wide consensus to drum down spectrum valuations and also discredit auctions as an allocation method," Telecom Watchdog Secretary Anil Kumar said in a statement.

The government today said it has not received any application for 2G spectrum auction except that of Sistema Shyam Teleservices that will bid for CDMA spectrum.

Government's 2G spectrum auction next month looks set to flop with just one company making application for participation in sale of airwaves despite a cut in base prices following tepid response to November auction.

"The repeated auction failures seem to be a well thought out design," Kumar said.