The I&B ministry has invited proposals from Indian as well foreign companies for selection of an agency to conduct e-auctions for Phase III FM radio that will allow 839 radio channels to come up in 227 cities.
"We have invited proposals for selection of agency for conducting e-auction for Phase III of FM radio. We have taken all necessary permissions from the Law ministry and the Election Commission and are taking the process forward," I&B secretary Bimal Julka said.
He added that the ministry intends to carry out the Phase III of FM radio expansion by the end of this year.
The ministry has invited proposals from entities having sufficient resources, technical know-how and experience for selection as agency for conducting simultaneous ascending e-auctions of 839 FM radio channels in 294 cities in India on lump sum fee basis, officials said.
Companies have been asked to submit proposals by June 20, they added.
