New Delhi (PTI): The government will auction the spectrum required to provide 3G services on CDMA-based networks, Telecom Minister A Raja said on Thursday.

"We consider TRAI recommendations on CDMA spectrum can be given on pro-rata basis as GSM operators. Earlier, there was not much competition. There were only two slots (two companies) for competition.

"Now with the coming of another player and more spectrum available, we feel 3G CDMA spectrum too can be auctioned," Raja said on the sidelines of a function here.

Telecom Commission is also in favour of this process and Department of Telecom (DoT) has now opted for auctioning system for the CDMA players.

The government, in its 3G policy announced earlier this month, had decided to allot 3G spectrum in the 800 MHz to the CDMA player with the highest subscriber base.

Reliance Communications has the highest subscriber base in CDMA segment.

However, now auction would imply other CDMA players such as Tata Teleservices, Shyam, BSNL and MTNL as well as new players who want to enter India on the CDMA platform now stand a chance to get radio frequencies in the coveted 800 MHz band.