Reliance Jio made the biggest bid of Rs 88,078 crore in the 5G auction
Reliance Jio on Monday emerged as the largest bidder in the auction of fifth generation (5G) spectrum in the country. The company has bagged nearly half of the total spectrum sold in the auction with a bid of Rs 88,078 crore. According to Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Adani Group has bought 400 MHz spectrum for Rs 212 crore. Adani Group has bought spectrum in the 26 MHz band. It is not a public network while Jio has bought spectrum in various bands, including the 700 MHz band considered to be the best. It can provide 6-10 km ‘signal’ range and forms a good base for the fifth generation in all 22 circles in the country.
If 700 MHz band is used then only one tower can cover a considerable area. Telecom giant Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Airtel has bought 19,867 MHz spectrum for Rs 43,084 crore. Vodafone Idea has bought spectrum worth Rs 18,784 crore.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that in total, bids worth Rs 1,50,173 crore were received. The government has been able to sell 51,236 MHz or 71 per cent of the spectrum offered in 10 bands out of 72,098 MHz. He said that the government will get Rs 13,365 crore in spectrum in the first year. The minister said that 5G services can be started by October.
