NEW DELHI, INDIA: The government will issue notice inviting applications for its long-pending auction of third-generation wireless spectrum in a week, Telecoms Minister Andimuthu Raja said on Monday.

Raja said after the notice issuance, it would take another 40-45 days for the auction to be conducted.

The minister also said that the introduction of mobile number portability has been delayed by two months, and it will come to effect by the end of May.

"It has been delayed by two months because of security reasons," Raja told reporters.