5G technology is the revolution that can alter India’s manufacturing, services and several other sectors
The much talked 5G spectrum sale, giving impetus to the Centre’s flagship Digital India programme, has finally concluded raking in a whooping over INR 1.50 lakh crore in the government coffers. This paves way for the 5G services rollout in the country as early as October later this year.
“5G technology is the revolution that can alter India’s manufacturing, services and several other sectors. We remain fully committed to the Government’s Digital India vision and will continue to do what is needed to ensure that India becomes a beacon for the world in terms of technology,” Gopal Vittal, MD & CEO, Bharti Airtel, said after successfully making bids worth INR 43,084 crore to acquire 19867.8 MHz spectrum in 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands in the 5G spectrum auction.
Union minister of communications, electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, while announcing the successful conclusion of the 5G spectrum auction, announced that the spectrum auction mopping up over INR 1.50 lakh crore in bids by four companies including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Adani Data Networks.
In an address to the media Union minister said, 51,236 MHz or around 71 per cent of the total 72,098 MHz of spectrum on offer has been sold in the auction. Total 40 rounds of bidding were conducted in the past seven days. The total value of the bids stood at INR 1,50,173 crore.
According to Vaishnaw, the allocation of the spectrum will be completed by August 10 and the 5G services are likely to be launched by October this year. “Auction has been completed and in the next few days, till August 10, all formalities including approving and allocating the spectrum will be done,” Vaishnaw said.
“We will 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,” Vaishnaw said, adding that better availability of spectrum will improve the quality of telecom services in the country.
As per government data during the auction Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited made bids worth INR 88,078 crore accounting for 58.65% of the total value of IRN 1,50,173 crore received by the government in the 5G spectrum auction.
Jio has made bids to acquire 24,740 MHz spectrum in 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz. Bharti Airtel, a distant second made bids worth INR 43,084 crore to acquire 19867.8 MHz spectrum in 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz frequency bands.
To acquire 6,228 MHz spectrum in 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz, Vodafone Idea Limited made bids worth INR 18,799 crore.
To acquire 400 MHz spectrum in 26 GHz frequency band, Adani Data Networks Limited, among others four firms in the fray for the 5G auction, made bids worth INR 212 crore.
While speaking over successful 5G bidding, Akash M Ambani, chairman, Reliance Jio Infocomm, 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.”
“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,” Ambani said.
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