NEW DELHI, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Bharti Airtel Ltd and Vodafone Group Plc's Indian unit submittedapplications on Wednesday to bid in a spectrum auction nextmonth, separate sources at the two companies said.
India will auction spectrum in two separate frequency bandsstarting Feb. 3 and the government hopes to raise at least $1.8billion from the sale, crucial in its efforts to rein in thecountry's budget deficit.
Carriers have to submit initial interest for participatingin the auction by Wednesday.
Bharti and Vodafone India Ltd, the country's top two phonecarriers by users and revenue, are required to buy spectrum insome key cities to extend their permits in those areas beyond2014.
Vodafone (VOD)