India's DoT (Department of Telecommunications) recently announced that any bidder who acquires 3G spectrum in a global auction - due to be held in January 16, 2009 ?is eligible to queue for 2G spectrum, Reuters reported on December 23. This decision is said to please the new 3G entrants but threaten the existing 2G players or licensees. Meanwhile, India has set a base price of 20.20 billion Rupees (US$418.7 million; US$1 = 48.2 Rupees) for operators seeking to bid for 3G spectrum, according to the same source.