The 5G spectrum auction, which commenced with a reserve price of Rs 96,238.45 crore, concluded with telecom firms bidding approximately Rs 11,300 crore, as reported by The Economic Times. The auction featured eight bands spanning frequencies from 800 MHz to 26 GHz, totaling 10 GHz of radio waves available for purchase.
Bharti Airtel emerged as the leading bidder in this auction, strategically acquiring spectrum across multiple bands including 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2100 MHz. This move is seen as critical for renewing expiring licenses and strengthening its spectrum holdings, particularly in sub-GHz and mid-band frequencies. Airtel's investment in the spectrum is expected to enhance both its 4G coverage in rural areas and prepare for future 5G deployment.
Reliance Jio, in contrast, participated less aggressively, focusing primarily on acquiring mid-band spectrum in the 1800 MHz band. This aligns with Jio's strategy to bolster its existing 4G network and prepare for future 5G expansion.
Vodafone Idea (Vi) also participated actively, securing spectrum in the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2500 MHz bands. Vi's investment is aimed at renewing expiring licenses and reinforcing its network capabilities across various regions.
Overall, the auction's revenue collection fell short of previous records, notably below the Rs 1,50,173 crore garnered in the July 2022 5G auction and even lower than the Rs 77,814 crore from the March 2021 4G auction. Despite this, telecom operators' strategic acquisitions are expected to bolster their network capacities and readiness for the impending 5G rollout in India.
