Norway’s Telenor emerged as the big spender in the Indian 2G auctions that closed yesterday, paying INR40.18 billion (US$730 million) for spectrum in six of the country’s most populous zones.

Licences were also acquired by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Cellular and Videocon with the auctions expected to raise about INR95 billion (US$1.73 billion) in total for the Indian government, a long way shy of the INR400 billion target suggested earlier this year.

High reserve prices have been blamed for the muted interest.

The airwaves up for grabs include those cancelled by India’s Supreme Court in February, which put Telenor’s Indian arm, Uninor, at risk.

In a statement, Telenor confirmed it had secured 5 MHz of spectrum in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh East, Uttar Pradesh West, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra, covering a total population of about 600 million people. All Uninor assets in these circles will be “seamlessly transferred to the new company and services will continue uninterrupted.”

“The fresh licenses provide clarity for customers, operators and partners after a long period of uncertainty. We are looking forward to a more predictable and stable regulatory environment,” said Telenor CEO Jon Fredrik Baksaas.

According to India’s Department of Telecoms, Vodafone is to pay INR11.95 billion for licences in 14 zones; Idea INR20.05 billion in eight;  Bharti INR86.7 million for one; and Videocon INR22.21 billion in six.