The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has finalised roll-out norms for 3G services. According to the norms, 3G should be available in at least 30 per cent of all cities and towns and 10 per cent of the rural areas within three years of rolling out services in the corresponding circles. At the end of five years, the service must be present in 90 per cent of metro areas with a minimum of 15 per cent coverage in the rural areas. In case of a service provider's inability to meet the rollout obligations, the service provider would be subject to a spectrum hoarding cess of 2.5 per cent of the bid amount in the spectrum auction (on a quarterly basis for a period of one year). The period of spectrum allotment for the service has been fixed at 20 years from the date of allotment.