Mumbai, India (CU)_ Following the successful conclusion of the fifth generation (5G) spectrum auction by the government, the 5G telecom services in India are expected to be launched by October of this year. The auction amassed more than INR 1.50 lakh crore from four major companies, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Adani Data Networks.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, union minister of communications, electronics, and information technology, addressed the media following the conclusion of the 5G spectrum auction. She stated that of the total 72,098 MHz of spectrum on sale, 51,236 MHz, or around 71%, has been sold. In the previous week, there have been a total of 40 rounds of bidding and the entire amount of the bid is INR 1,50,173 crore rupees. According to Vaishnaw, increased spectrum availability will enhance the standard of telecommunication services in the country.
Vaishnaw told the media that spectrum allocation to winning bidders will be completed by August 10 and 5G services are likely to begin in the nation by October of this year. She said, “Auction has been completed and in the next few days, till August 10, all formalities including approving and allocating the spectrum will be done”. According to the minister, “It seems we would be able to launch 5G in the country by October. The ongoing 5G spectrum auction indicates that the country’s telecom industry has come a long way in 5G advancements”.
- Four companies competed in the 5G spectrum auction.
- Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited submitted bids totaling INR 88,078 crore, or 58.65 percent of the total amount of INR 1,50,173 crore collected by the government. Jio submitted bids for 24,740 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 3300 MHz, and 26 GHz bands.
- Bharti Airtel has submitted bids totaling INR 43,084 crore for 19867.8 MHz of spectrum in the frequency bands of 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100MHz, 3300MHz, and 26 GHz.
- Vodafone Idea Limited submitted bids totaling INR 18,799 crore to purchase 6,228 MHz of spectrum in the frequency ranges of 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 GHz, and 26 GHz.
- Adani Data Networks Limited has submitted bids totaling INR 212 crore to purchase 400 MHz of spectrum in the 26 GHz band.
Akash M Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, expressed confidence over the auction results. He said, “We have always believed that India will become a leading economic power in the world by adopting the power of breakthrough technologies. This was the vision and conviction that gave birth to Jio. The speed, scale and societal impact of Jio’s 4G rollout is unmatched anywhere in the world. Now, with a bigger ambition and stronger resolve, Jio is set to lead India’s march into the 5G era.”
Ambani added, “We will celebrate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ with a pan India 5G rollout. Jio is committed to offering world-class, affordable 5G and 5G-enabled services. We will provide services, platforms and solutions that will accelerate India’s digital revolution, especially in crucial sectors like education, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and e-Governance”.
