Telenor’s Indian subsidiary – Uninor – appears to have ruled itself out of bidding for spectrum in next month’s long-awaited Indian 3G auctions, reports the Wall Street Journal. In an emailed statement, the operator noted that “our current focus is on strengthening our service in circles we are present in and launching additional circles this year.” It added that it saw “other opportunities and routes to get into 3G at a stage when the market is really ready for it and the demand makes for a sound business case.” Uninor – which is 67 percent-owned by Norway-based Telenor – launched operations in India late last year and had signed-up 1.2 million subscribers by year-end. Although it has already ruled out acquiring nationwide 3G spectrum, it had previously hinted that it would consider buying spectrum in some regional circles. Uninor is currently live in eight of India’s 22 telecom service areas but plans to start its operations in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Kolkata, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh in the next few months.

Meanwhile, press reports claim that the Indian government has already received at least eight applications from firms wanting to participate in next month’s 3G and Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) spectrum auctions. According to RTT News, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Tata Communications, Tata Teleservices, Vodafone Essar, Etisalat, Tikona (a Mumbai-based Internet service provider), and Qualcomm submitted their applications on Wednesday. Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices and Etisalat have expressed interest in bidding for the 3G spectrum, while Tikona, Tata Communications and Qualcomm have put in bids for the BWA spectrum. Vodafone Essar has applied for both. Other companies – including Aircel and Idea Cellular – are expected to have lodged their interest ahead of today’s closing deadline for applications. The auctions are scheduled to begin on 8 April.