Mobile operators Vodafone Essar and Reliance Communication today filed applications for participating in the 3G spectrum auction, which starts on April 9.

When contacted spokerpersons of both the companies said Vodafone and RCOM have submitted their applications. RCOM has applied for 22 circles, while Vodafone is also believed to have submitted the application for 3G licence for pan-India.

Bharti Airtel, the country's largest mobile operator in terms of subscriber numbers, put in its application earlier in the day

The last day for putting in applications to participate in the auction is March 19.

The government is selling three slot of spectrum across the nation with the exception of a few states where four slots will be on offer. The reserve price for pan-India spectrum has been fixed at Rs 3,500 crore.

According to the Notice Inviting Applications (the detailed guidelines), only Punjab, Bihar, West Bengal, HP and J&K will have four private players offering high-speed content download and broadband services (3G).

The successful bidders would be allowed to offer 3G services on commercial basis from September 1, 2010.

The government expects to garner Rs 35,000 crore from the sale of spectrum for 3G and Boradband Wireless Access (BWA). However, with the number of players reduced to three in most of the circles from 4 planned earlier, the government may fall short of meeting the target.