The bid for all-India 3G spectrum crossed the Rs 7,900 crore mark on Saturday, ensuring the government a minimum revenue of Rs 31,965 crore.

On the 13th day of the auction, the activity level in the metros and 'A' category circles continued to remain high. The operators are yet to venture into the categories 'B' and 'C' service areas, according to DoT sources.

There was a jump of Rs 1,200 crore today in government's revenues, from yesterday's level of Rs 30,756 crore.

The government has set a target to garner Rs 35,000 crore from the 3G and the Broadband Wireless Access spectrum (BWA) auctions.

Telecom Minister A Raja had recently exuded confidence that the revenue from the sale of 3G and BWA spectrum is likely to touch Rs 45,000 crore.

The government had set a base price of Rs 3,500 crore for pan-Indian 3G spectrum and Rs 1,750 crore for pan-Indian BWA spectrum.

Auction for broadband wireless access, or BWA, would start two days after the close of 3G auction.

In 3G mobile telephony, three private operators are allowed and in some few states four. The spectrum would be distributed in September after the DoT gets the airwaves from the defence forces.

However, for BWA only two slots are available. With 11 operators in the fray to grab spectrum with only two slots on the block there may be aggressive bidding.

Delhi, the most coveted circle, saw bid touching Rs 1,083.27 crore, followed by Mumbai at Rs 1,079.93 crore. For Maharashtra circle, bid stood at Rs Rs 769.10 crore.

As many as 76 rounds of auction were completed till the 13th day.

For Gujarat circle, bid stood at Rs 631.65 crore. Bid for Andhra Pradesh stood at Rs 685.16 crore, Karnataka at Rs 691.34 crore, Tamil Nadu at Rs 746.84 crore and Kerala at Rs 256.18 crore.

For Kolkata the bid was at Rs 241.16 crore and that of West Bengal was at Rs 123.63 crore. For Uttar Pradesh East the price was Rs 257.51 crore and Uttar Pradesh West stood at Rs 300.57 crore. Bid for Rajasthan circle was Rs 247.98 crore, while for Madhaya Pradesh was Rs 236.27 crore.