India’s private radio players believe the roll-out of Phase III of FM licensing will finally take place in October, according to the head of their industry body.

Uday Chawla, Secretary General of AROI (Association of Radio Operators of India), told Asia Radio Today: “From the indications we are getting from the MIB, it looks likely that the auctions will be held in October.”

Ten days ago, officials launched a request for bids from so-called e-auctioneers who will carry out the auction of 839 FM channels across 294 cities.

Interested bidders have been asked to submit their proposals by June 20, 2014.

As the licenses of many FM operators expire from April 1, 2015, the government will need to hold the auctions earlier than that, industry observers say.

Phase III was originally planned to roll-out in 2011 but has been delayed several times.